Marketable Hobbies??

[cabanafrau]

You are correct. They are both marketable, in the right situation. That said, my college roommates piano skills will always be more marketable than my clarinet skills--despite me having college level instruction and her not taking a lesson since 8th grade.

Also French can be useful. It is however and "old-school" language to learn and I am trying to consider what may be more beneficial. I almost never use French, but I frequently use Spanish for example in my work as a professional. At the same time knowing Chinese or Japanese would be even more benefical to me from a business perspective.

I also spent countless hours as a kid learning Ballroom Dancing, not for the enjoyment but for "grown-up" life/events. My husband would not know a foxtrot from a waltz, and outside of military balls I know next to no one who uses these dance skills with the exception of a wedding. My husband and I attend 3-6 black tied charity balls every year, and very few people use the dance floor. Not saying it is right, just what I observe. I will still enroll my daughter in some elementary dance classes for posture, just not the endless years of ballroom dancing I endured.

"Old school" or more obscure languages can indeed be needed in legal proceedings. There are translators hired by courts and lawyers to translate for defendants and other parties in legal cases where language is a barrier. I'm sure it's been much easier to get the Spanish translators than the Albanian, Czech, Armenian, etc., but they are all needed and paid for

I find your last line very telling. Interesting choice of the word endure while you're mapping out a tactical life plan for your 16 month old. Subtle or no, children recognize pressure and burdens and may find interesting ways to cope. The best laid plans can have interesting consequences that both children and parents have to endure.

 

[FINFAN]

Not to stand up for gunsmithing (but I'm going to anyways )....

DH does all of his own gunsmithing, and DS has been watching/helping ever since he could walk. I think that it may have influenced his interest in engineering, because of the precision/mechanics that go into it. Yes, it's an EXTREMELY specialized field, but my point is that IMHO children learn much from watching their parents participate in THEIR hobbies.

What goes around, comes around, and, while I don't think that VCRs will be need repair anytime soon, I see a large market for many of the more "traditional" skills that might include: sewing (especially mending and alterations), shoe repair, canning and preserving, auto repair, etc, etc. With a poor economy, many people are trying to make things last rather than buy new. I was in 4-H for years, and learned many of the above skills there through their various projects. I also helped my extended family members do many of the above things.

Terri

not to hijack the thread, but my DS would LOVE to be a gunsmith...I wish we lived closer!

 

[Acklander]

You are correct. They are both marketable, in the right situation. That said, my college roommates piano skills will always be more marketable than my clarinet skills--despite me having college level instruction and her not taking a lesson since 8th grade.

Also French can be useful. It is however and "old-school" language to learn and I am trying to consider what may be more beneficial. I almost never use French, but I frequently use Spanish for example in my work as a professional. At the same time knowing Chinese or Japanese would be even more benefical to me from a business perspective.

I also spent countless hours as a kid learning Ballroom Dancing, not for the enjoyment but for "grown-up" life/events. My husband would not know a foxtrot from a waltz, and outside of military balls I know next to no one who uses these dance skills with the exception of a wedding. My husband and I attend 3-6 black tied charity balls every year, and very few people use the dance floor. Not saying it is right, just what I observe. I will still enroll my daughter in some elementary dance classes for posture, just not the endless years of ballroom dancing I endured.

I know someone who is a chef, and for him French is a very important language. So, you never know, which is why it's important for the child to find his passion instead of the parent figuring out what the child should be passionate about.

 

[cornflake]

I don't quite know how clarinet would be less marketable than piano... orchestras need both.

Regardless, I only posted to ask if she's learning actual ASL or 'Baby Sign' which is NOT the same thing or close. All for teaching ASL but that baby sign stuff ain't it.

 

[Northstar]

I know someone who is a chef, and for him French is a very important language. So, you never know, which is why it's important for the child to find his passion instead of the parent figuring out what the child should be passionate about.

I agree.

Predicting what's going to be marketable, or what children's lives are going to be like, 18 or 20 years in the future is impossible.

The best you can hope for is that she will learn transferable skills, and will acquire a passion for learning.

For example, when you learned clarinet, you also learned how to read music. You acquired manual dexterity. You got a sense of rhythm. Maybe you learned how to play with others in a band. All of those skills would have served you well if you had wanted to continue in music, even if you'd dropped the clarinet. All of those skills probably helped you in other things you tried later on.

Learning a 2nd language from an early age makes it easier to learn a 3rd language when the chance arises later on. So knowing Swedish and English probably made it easier for you to study French, and all of that experience would speed up your progress if you decided to dive in and learn Spanish.

At 1 1/2 years old, everything she learns and tries will become a building block for future learning!

 

[akcire]

I don't quite know how clarinet would be less marketable than piano... orchestras need both.

Regardless, I only posted to ask if she's learning actual ASL or 'Baby Sign' which is NOT the same thing or close. All for teaching ASL but that baby sign stuff ain't it.

ASL

My mothers best friend since she was 8 is deaf, and American (long story how they met). Growing up I was exposed to ASL. My mother's friend spends a good amount of time with our family, and is really part of our family. As I speak to my daughter in English I am also re-enforcing the signs. She actually signs more words than she speaks.

As to which is more marketable clarinet or piano, I am not thinking of a career, but as a part time situation. That said, know any of any good clarinet bars, or churches that need weekly clarinet players, how about department stores. Also in my area piano teachers are in high demand. (So are Banjo teachers, but that is another story). Not so much the woodwind instruments. A piano is just a more useful instrument in my opinion, much as is a guitar. Heck to me a harmonica is more useful than a clarinet. Not once in my 13 years of clarinet study did anyone ever randomly ask me to pull it out for a camp fire, etc. I am not saying there is anything wrong with learning clarinet, I just think piano offers more opportunities. I am currently wait listed to take piano lessons (for myself).

 

[scbelleatheart]

Swim, good job in HS. Sew (all my boys do), piano and last, weld. There are always jobs for welders. Have you ever looked at the artistic creations done by welders?

 

[akcire]

not to hijack the thread, but my DS would LOVE to be a gunsmith...I wish we lived closer!

Pam

My original comment about gunsmithing and VCR repair was in reference to the 90's infomercials with Sally Struthers. Perhaps your husband can take a correspondence course in gun smithing

 

[FireDancer]

When I think of a hobby that can turn into a lucrative career only one really comes to mind: pole dancing.

 

[akcire]

Swim, good job in HS. Sew (all my boys do), piano and last, weld. There are always jobs for welders. Have you ever looked at the artistic creations done by welders?

I agree with everything you have said. She is just to young for a needle or a blowtorch. She is doing swim and no piano teachers will take kids until they are
4 in my area. Instead she is general music classes, and I am waitlisted to get myself some piano lessons so I can teach her some basics.


If you kids can weld, hopefully they study engineering. Since piano, sewing, and welding are all math it should be a good option for them. I could hire 10 engineers today with welding experience and practical construction knowledge, especially those that like travel.

 

[Diet Dr Chill]

Well, maybe you don't have to teach your child anything at all.

This weekend, our neighborhood had a yard sale. My husband asked our daughter if she wanted to sell anything and her answer was "YES.". Ran inside, picked some things she doesn't play with or read anymore and set them up outside. She is a friggin natural saleswoman. I think that was what she was born to do, besides police officer. Every time people would come up with a reason not to buy her item, she would immediately have a response and keep going, not taking no for an answer. She made $15 with her junk. Not bad for a 6 year old.

 

[DVCLiz]

I am trying to take a forward look from an economic perspective. My daughter is 1 1/2 and I am trying to think of activities for her that could at some time in the distant future provide a little extra income. Also things that are fun to learn to create a well-rounded little person.

For example, as a child I took many swimming lessons and did use those skills as a young adult to teach swim lessons and life guard. These are skills I could still use today as an adult if life ever threw me a bowl of lemons.

In contrast my parents had me learn both the clarinet (I wanted piano) and French. Neither of these skills is particularly valuable. [In contrast my college roommate still plays piano at a church a couple weeks a year and at a department store 6 hours a week]. Not many people lining up to learn French or clarient as adults, but my parents had people that taught me these things for free or nearly free.

So my question to you is what skills/hobbies to you think will have a part-time hobby market in the future? or skills that will be invaluable to learn?

Her current activies are swimming, and a general music class, visiting every park in a 20 mile radius, and testing the life span of childrens products, imitating captain destructo--ie playing. In future (when she gets older) she will learn piano, and ice skating (skill level will be based on talent and interest).

She is also learning ASL along with English (we don't speak English at home).

(I would love her to learn Chinese, but I have had a hard time trying to even begin to make that happen).

Im sure I sound crazy, I am just trying to make certain she always has at least a couple of non traditional job skills--even if they are just for the extras in life. So give me your thoughts on skills/hobbies, please don't suggest gun smithing or VCR repair . What are the "oh, I wish I could do that feelings you have has as an adult"?

I mean this in the kindest possible way - you sound crazy.

That said, you will have many opportunities to plan activities for your child along the way. 1 1/2 is too early to do more than bob around in the pool with Mom and roll on a gym mat. Save anything else for the later preschool years, unless it is about you socializing with the other moms. Later, choose activities for fun and health - nothing your child learns in the preschool and early elementary years is going to turn into a money maker unless she is a prodigy.

The best money makers for my daughters and their friends were tutoring, both in English and in foreign languages, babysitting, and small arts and crafts they sold to their friends - knitted hats, etc. Sign language is a great skill to have, as is fluency in any second language, especially French and Spanish, if those are the languages most college students take.

Other tutoring - in math especially - is lucrative if you have a good reputation, especially if you hook up with a private school and get on their recommended list. If your daughter ends up with talent in English and writing, SAT and college admissions tutors are in great demand in my area. Editing college essays has paid many a bill for a friend of mine.

It is so much fun to plan for a baby but you are going to burn either yourself or her out if you make "acquiring skills" for future earnings more of a priority than "acquiring skills" like sleeping through the night and going to to the bathroom by herself. Get those out of the way first.

 

[cornflake]

ASL

My mothers best friend since she was 8 is deaf, and American (long story how they met). Growing up I was exposed to ASL. My mother's friend spends a good amount of time with our family, and is really part of our family. As I speak to my daughter in English I am also re-enforcing the signs. She actually signs more words than she speaks.

As to which is more marketable clarinet or piano, I am not thinking of a career, but as a part time situation. That said, know any of any good clarinet bars, or churches that need weekly clarinet players, how about department stores. Also in my area piano teachers are in high demand. (So are Banjo teachers, but that is another story). Not so much the woodwind instruments. A piano is just a more useful instrument in my opinion, much as is a guitar. Heck to me a harmonica is more useful than a clarinet. Not once in my 13 years of clarinet study did anyone ever randomly ask me to pull it out for a camp fire, etc. I am not saying there is anything wrong with learning clarinet, I just think piano offers more opportunities. I am currently wait listed to take piano lessons (for myself).

Michael's Pub.

I agree this level of engineering is decidedly odd.

I'm all for music lessons - why not take her to a music store or a small music school with instruments out and see what she gravitates toward? I mean what if she's 2 and wants to play the clarinet or violin or drums? Are you going to not get her lessons because you think she could leverage piano better, so you'll just wait and put her in that? What if she doesn't like it and wants to play the clarinet or the tuba?

What if she's not interested in anything you think she can make money off of as a hobby and only wants to do things you think are not going to be...worthwhile?

 

[akcire]

The intent of my post was to see if there were other ideas opportunities I had not considered. She is in classes for socialization and to be exposed to various things. I am in the process of planning our Fall/Winter schedule. She likes classes and the different kids she meets. (Like I said the class offereings for her age are lacking). We also do a good number of playdates, and she is starting a one day a week 4 hour preschool-like class. We are a busy family. No TV. Zoos, museums, library, classes, playdates, that is they way our schedule operates. I was really trying to see if anyone had any other ideas of classes she could start now, that may result in a marketable/useful source of income (if she ever needed it) it future.

Once my daughter is old enough to decide, I will of course, act based on her preferences. At this point she doesn't really communicate preferences, and she can't do everything.

Sometimes I think English being my 3rd language and my less than superior typing/grammar results in dis miscommunication. Other times I people on the dis just like to attack any ideas that are different than their own. Either way, my daughter will continue with her classes/friends.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

OP, You seem real focused on the "useless" skills your parents focused on, and the skills you wished you'd picked up as a child. You might want to go back and re-read what you've written about your own childhood, and do a gut-check on what you might be trying to do to your daughter. Same technique, different "desirable" skills.

My parents forced me to learn piano as a child. I hated it, even though I was (allegedly) talented. I rarely touch the piano I have now--a piano my mom gave me, because she always wanted piano lessons.

Meanwhile, I have a few musicians--my DH played the trumpet, as did my DD17. DS15 plays sax, and a few years ago took up the bagpipes. Why the pipes? I have no clue. Now, there's a marketable skill--he's already in demand to play at his Boy Scout functions, and could pick up some cash playing funerals as well as other venues. In a million years, I would have never guessed I'd have a bagpiper.

I also have a DD9 who's an amazing cellist--I'd never seen a cello up-close until the day I rented hers. And DS6 hasn't shown any interest in an instrument (except the drums!), but is a very serious dancer. He also loves any form of art and color.

My point is that I've let them find their own path--not necessarily the path I would choose. (Seriously--bagpipes? Do you know how freaking LOUD those things are?). I pay for art classes, dance classes, cello lessons, bagpipe lessons, swim lessons, running camp. And I scratch my head a lot.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

Golf or Tennis

 

[Diet Dr Chill]

No one really has any ideas because a 1.5 year old is just too young to force into so many structured activities. That's why you are finding they don't really exist for her age group. It sucks, but your child is just not developmentally ready for all the things you are proposing yet, unless you are dealing with a baby with an IQ of 200.

3 is really the age to start these things. Honestly, waiting a bit is not going to destroy her future or anything. You are already raising her to be bilingual. I'd be happy with that for right now.

 

[DVCLiz]

What I woud seriously suggest is this - don't focus so much on the "skill" of doing something. Focus instead of the skill of "being" - being able to look an adult in the eye and talk easily, being able to call and make a dinner reservation for a group of middle schoolers before a dance, being able to have a pleasant telephone and in-person style of communication, being able to say hello to your mom's friends instead of hiding behind her leg. THOSE are the skills I really would begin early. The rest can be easily picked up in a class or as a hobby along the way. The interpersonal skills are important to ANY kind of money-makig endeavor.

 

[mdsoccermom]

The intent of my post was to see if there were other ideas opportunities I had not considered. She is in classes for socialization and to be exposed to various things. I am in the process of planning our Fall/Winter schedule. She likes classes and the different kids she meets. (Like I said the class offereings for her age are lacking). We also do a good number of playdates, and she is starting a one day a week 4 hour preschool-like class. We are a busy family. No TV. Zoos, museums, library, classes, playdates, that is they way our schedule operates. I was really trying to see if anyone had any other ideas of classes she could start now, that may result in a marketable/useful source of income (if she ever needed it) it future.

Once my daughter is old enough to decide, I will of course, act based on her preferences. At this point she doesn't really communicate preferences, and she can't do everything.

Sometimes I think English being my 3rd language and my less than superior typing/grammar results in dis miscommunication. Other times I people on the dis just like to attack any ideas that are different than their own. Either way, my daughter will continue with her classes/friends.

Whatever happened to letting kids be kids? Why does everything have to be orchestrated and organized? There is absolutely no need to consider a child's marketable skills when they are a year and a half. No reason at all. Just sign her up for classes as they sound interesting and as she shows a preference. Do not worry about if they will translate into a marketable skill or money maker. Just let her be a child.

If she shows an aptitude for something, then you can figure out what to do with it later. If your family is as intelligent as you are trying to make yourselves out to be, you'll figure it out.

 

[Bonnie151]

I'm sorry but I'm just not getting it. Hobbies should be your opportunity to do do activities that you enjoy, regardless of any potential financial gain somewhere down the road. She's far too young to be scheduling lots of structured classes, but when she's older, just let her experiment! Right now, My DD (7) loves art, dance and ice skating and has just gone horse mad (first day of pony camp was today!). Next year it'll maybe be rock climbing and judo- who knows! If she finds one activity she wants to settle with great, but right now we're just letting her explore and try lots of different things.

And she may find her hobby that turns into a lucrative activity when she's an adult. I started cake decorating when DD was a baby. 3 years later I took a voluntary severance package from my employer and now have a thriving cake business. I'm not convinced I'd have found this passion if it had been scheduled in as a toddler.