Sad day for mom

This is one of those rare posts I write about a subject on the discouraging side. I usually try to find something humorous or something to be grateful about in my child-rearing efforts. But today is a sad day for the mommy of this house. Savanna officially quit piano lessons. There is no getting around it. I was in denial the first month when she refused to practice unless I stood over her, and then only argued with me about every note on the paper, and ultimately slammed the keys with her hands in frustration. I started thinking maybe this wouldn't work out when there was only one time in 10 months she practiced what she was assigned without complaining, and only a few more that practicing didn't end in tears. Bribes worked for a week, punishment never worked. She would gladly take the punishment over practicing. She started arguing before we even sat at the piano, then started spouting curses at pianos, teachers, me and anything else she could think of. It has been 3 weeks since she touched the piano and when today I reminded her she needs to practice because she has lessons she just burst into tears, ran into her room and shut the door. She skipped the arguing and being sent to her room by me and went straight to the tears. I dejectedly called her teacher Brother Hanks and told his wife Stacy that Savanna needs a break from piano. Since we have a deal to teach each other's kids so we don't have to pay someone, we decided to try and start Fiora on lessons. When I told Savanna that she will be taking a break from piano lessons she was visibly relieved and since she hates to think she "quit" anything, we agreed she is just taking a break and maybe will start again sometime in the distant future. She saw my sadness and gave me a big hug which helped me. I wanted Savanna to learn piano, maybe she still will, but it has to be on her terms and not as an extension of my own ego.