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Dr. M is the author of five advice books for tweens and teens. Her latest is Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years. She enjoys dancing, reading, working out and talking with young people about the issues that concern them. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology.
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Liz, a first-year college student, is the co-author of three books: Ask Dr. M and Liz; Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? She loves to dance, paint, make collages, hang out with friends and, of course, give advice.
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Dear Dr. M & Liz,
My parents have pushed me to play the piano since I was 7, but I want to pursue other instruments. When I told them I wanted to quit, they said they were really disappointed, but would let me do it. I really don't want to make them feel bad, but I just don't like it anymore. What should I do?
—Katie, 15, Maine
Dear Katie,
Since you have played piano since you were seven, it's time for you to decide what other musical instrument you now want to play. Your parents are probably disappointed because they have enjoyed listening to you as you progressed from struggling with very simple tunes to playing very complex compositions. They may feel that once you stop taking piano lessons, you will no longer play. Tell your parents that you understand why they are disappointed and that you appreciate the opportunity you had to take piano lesson, but now is the time for you to start something new that appeals to you more. After all, you are 15, which is a good age for you to be making decisions like this. And even though you're no longer taking piano lessons, you can still sit down and enjoy piano as a hobby from time to time.
—Dr. M
Dear Katie,
You should follow what you want to do. Eventually your parents will get over their disappointment, and since you've been playing piano for so long, it's not as if you're going to forget how to play anytime soon. You can remind your parents that you're expanding your musical abilities, and you can always decide to go back to the piano if you change your mind.
—Liz
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