Why I'm Glad My Kids Aren't Prodigies
Jackie Evancho, the 10-year-old opera singer
, not only blew away the judges on "America's Got Talent" earlier this week. But she also earned a standing ovation from the audience. It was clear that a star was born.
8-year-old painter Kieron Williamson is already taking the art world by storm and has been dubbed the "mini Monet," because of his sophisticated paintings. His most recent art exhibition sold out in a half hour -- and raked in nearly a quarter million dollars.
Am I jealous? Do I wish my kids could garner such acclaim and attention - not to mention the big bucks? Not at all. In fact, I'm relieved my girls aren't prodigies, thank you very much.
Why? I want them to experience a simple childhood - without feeling self-conscious that they'll be misquoted or recognized on the street. Also, I fear that things generally don't end well for prodigies -- they get a lot of attention for their youthful talent, but once they grow up, the public loses interest or they burn out. There's so much pressure on them to succeed, that in some cases, they never live up to expectations.
Williamson's parents are clearly concerned about the pressure on their son, who now has a website and a business card. Strangers ask him for his autograph. Journalists clamor for an interview.
If your child had an amazing talent, would you want to share it to the world or keep it under wraps before they were old enough to handle the attention?
