• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Leanne Shirtliffe

Poetry | Humour | Children's Books | Writing Workshops

  • Writing in the World
  • Children’s Books
    • The Genius Hour Project
    • Sloth to the Rescue
    • I Love Sharks, Too!
    • Saving Thunder the Great
    • No More Beige Food
    • The Change Your Name Store
    • Guides/Activities
  • Humour Books
    • The Genius Hour Project
    • Don’t Lick The Minivan
    • Mommyfesto
  • Writing Workshops
    • Upcoming Workshops
    • About Chasing Wonder Workshops
    • Workshop FAQ
  • About
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Contact
    • General Inquiries

Music lessons and liquor

My own duet: William and Vivian

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I love to complain about music lessons.

As much as I love the program (and I do!), it still is a showcase for my kids’ misbehaviour and their spirited tendencies (euphemism of the day).

I wrote about the trials of attending a music class that requires parents be in attendance last week in The Calgary Herald.

Here’s the first paragraph from my humour column:

If you’ve never had to manage seven-year-old twins during a group music lesson, you’ve never truly needed earplugs, a drink, or a sign that says, “It’s a recessive gene. From their father.

To read more, please leap over toΒ Music Lessons Drive Me To Drink

And in the comments below,
tell me what drives you to drink. We can commiserate together.


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Calgary Herald, drink, funny, humor, humour, Ironic Mom, Leanne Shirtliffe, music lessons

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jmgoyder says

    February 29, 2012 at 6:07 am

    Lassitude. Yeah, I know that’s not very interesting but lassitute, lethargy, apathy – gimme a beer!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

      I’ll take big words for $200, Alex. πŸ˜‰

      Yes, agreed. There’s a great youtube video of Elie Wiesel speaking to youth where he says that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Here’s the link:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED3UXHJNGHs
      It’s powerful. Go to 2:55.

      Reply
  2. Ray Meinhardt says

    February 29, 2012 at 6:15 am

    I don’t know how to say this to you but…. my 19 year old STILL drives me to drink.! Great post, I feel your pain.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 8:25 pm

      Sigh…

      Reply
  3. serre says

    February 29, 2012 at 6:35 am

    I don’t think we have music class with parents around here… i can see this could be a liver-saver.
    Being yelled at for no reason by rude customers or just plain injustice usually drive me to drink… hot chocolate. For now.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:20 pm

      Liver-saver. There’s a great play on words.

      And hot chocolate is safer. It’s a good thing there’s no alcohol in my house.

      Reply
  4. Lori Dyan says

    February 29, 2012 at 7:27 am

    My son takes cello at the hippie school. Going through the daily practice sessions is enough to send me running for the cork screw…I can’t imagine sitting through the lesson…

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:20 pm

      Ohh. Strings. Oh no.

      Reply
  5. Howlin' Mad Heather says

    February 29, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Great stuff, as always. πŸ™‚ In terms of music, if we want to call it that, the thumping subwoofers of my neighbors at 2 AM drive me to drink. Ah, well, at least I’m able to go back to sleep.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:21 pm

      Ugh. Yes. When I was in college, the sound of my dot matrix printer would wake my neighbours up. That was the early 90s equivalent of partying. Well, for me anyway.

      Reply
  6. Liz McLennan says

    February 29, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Great post – I could feel your pain, even through the computer.

    Some days, the fact that the children are awake can drive me to cupboard where the Baileys waits. Other days, the fact that they are finally sleeping propells me there, too.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:21 pm

      It’s likely a good thing we don’t live across the street from each other. No, no. It’s a bad thing…

      Reply
  7. David N. Walker says

    February 29, 2012 at 9:37 am

    My wife’s mother and grandmother begged her to give up the violin when she was growing up. Must’ve been pretty bad.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:22 pm

      Hilarious.

      Reply
  8. Dawn says

    February 29, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I always thought it was “Triple Sow Cow” and have always wondered where they came up with such a strange name. Phew, thanks for shedding some light on ice skating terminology for me! (Hey – I’m American, what did you expect?)
    Shoot, now I need a drink….

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:22 pm

      Yes, Canadians know our Salchows and our Lutzes. Cheers!

      Reply
  9. Robin says

    February 29, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Would it make you feel better to know that my daughter swiffered that same new floor with her rear end?

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:22 pm

      Yes, Robin. It helps! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. educlaytion says

    February 29, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Great writing. Love the hockey crossovers. My sister teaches piano, but not in groups.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      February 29, 2012 at 7:23 pm

      Your sister is smart.

      Reply
  11. Jenny Hansen says

    March 1, 2012 at 12:24 am

    What, you think I need something to DRIVE ME to drink? Please. I have a toddler. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  12. Jenny Hansen says

    March 1, 2012 at 12:24 am

    p.s. When am I getting Thing 1 and Thing 2???

    Reply
  13. Balsillie & Associates says

    March 1, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Funny, I never thought those two mixed lol

    Reply
  14. mj monaghan says

    March 4, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I’m a fan of Bailey’s and don’t need anything to drive me there, even though I drink infrequently. It’s just the Irish connection with Bailey’s, I think. No kids at home anymore, but maybe I should have had more when they were at home! hehehe Seems to work well for many of the commenters.

    Reply
  15. Margaret says

    December 13, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Have you tried online music lessons? Music lessons = happy hour. thezoen.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

  • Instagram

© 2005–2026 Β· Leanne Shirtliffe Β·