One of my favorite blogs to read is “Illuminate Every Day” at www.tjhirst.com.  The author is a great writer, who often posts about every day experiences that enlighten.  She recently posted about consistency as it relates to parenting by discussing the consistency in her children’s piano education. 

Now, my children are older and the pressure of hands-on parenting has eased. In this more relaxed state, I noted their progression at their annual piano recital. Consistency. The word slipped into my thoughts alongside my joy at watching my oldest daughter perform. The word came to comfort.

When I calculate the years of consistent lessons and add them to the consistent schedules for practice, I now see the advice to “be consistent” wholly different. Be consistent in listening to the good and the bad. Be consistent when they are not. Be consistent in what I can maintain. Be consistent in steady support.

What great praise for consistency in practice and lessons!  I love how she says to “be consistent in listening to the good and the bad.  Be consistent when they are not.  Be consistent in steady support.”  Even though she is talking about parenting, isn’t that what we must do as piano teachers?