It’s Lauren’s turn at bat for Throwback Thursday. She said ” I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to think of something Maggie and I have not done before. I know we’ve talked about learning to drive, learning to cook, and learning to swim. I am going to follow that path and ask about your childhood approach to learning new skills.. As kids we are exposed to a huge variety of learning experiences. We can never succeed unless we are willing to make a commitment to the process.”
- When did you learn to ride a bike? Were you self-taught or did someone teach you? Any major injuries on the way? Did you master the skill? Do you still ride? If applicable, did you teach your kids?
I must have been about three when I got the family trike handed down from everyone else…. I think I was seven when I got the old hand me down black and silver two wheeler. Dad taught me to ride that bike over in Gunnersbury Park. I fell off many a time but I don’t think I ever hurt myself badly, just the odd cuts and bruises. I don’t remember having another bike or going any great distances on one.
I helped to teach all the boys to ride, the all rode their bikes a lot. When our youngest was small I had a seat on the back of my bike and ferry him all over the place. Eventually the roads got too dangerous and I learned to drive!
- Did you learn to play a musical instrument? At what age? Who taught you? How often did you practice? Were you in band at school? How good were you? Do you still play? If applicable, did you encourage your kids to play?
I learned the recorder, we were all in the school orchestra…I was awful, didn’t practice because I drove everyone hairless at home! I wished I had learned an instrument as I love music.
The boys are all musical, goodness knows where that came from. The eldest has been in bands and still makes electronic music . The middle lad is like me but did try to learn guitar during lockdown. The youngest son went to the Guildford Academy of Music and got his degree in sound engineering and mixing. He was also in the church choir for years.
- Did you sing in a choir in church or at school? At what age? How often did you practice? Did you enjoy it? How good were you? Do you still sing with others?
Yes again we were all in the school choir , I love singing still do, I don’t think I am any good but it makes me happy. Everyone else can wear earplugs!
- Did you have formal instructions on speaking a second language? Were you fortunate enough to be raised in a house with two or more languages? Did you learn a second language in school? Are you fluent in more than one language?
I learned French and Latin at school I tried hard but Latin foxed me and the Nun that taught by it disliked me!
I learned some German and Italian with one of my sister’s. I can get by in those three languages but really I am not fluent in them 💜
- Did you to play on a sports team or learn martial arts? At what age did you start? Did a parent become a coach? Did you practice at home? Do you still play sports? If applicable, did you encourage your children to play on a team?
No to all the above I cannot seem to see balls until they hit me, I broke every finger playing netball. My position was wingdefense, I was the girl who did not get picked until last as no one wanted me on their team 😁😁😁 The boys however did everything and loved it. The eldest and youngest still Run and cycle, so does the middle lad but he also plays cricket, football and loves golf!
- Did you ever take dance, tap, ballet, baton, cheerleading, etc. lessons? When did you start? How long did you take lessons? Did you practice on your own in addition to the lessons? How skilled did you become? Did you encourage your children to do the same?
I learned Ballet and tap from when I was five for several years I loved it, I was not built for it though as I was a tubby child! I was in a big show with the school once though .
The boys never learned to dance but can …our youngest and his wife cut a dash at their wedding!
- Did you learn to roller skate or ice skate? Did someone teach you or did you take lessons? At what age did you learn? Did you become skilled quickly? Can you still skate? Did you teach your children.
No no no 😁😁😁😁😁 Our youngest broke his ankle skating, and they all roller skated!
willowdot21 