My husband and I are musicians. And we’re parents. Our “backstage” experiences with our son (our little frog) deeply affect who we are as people, thus musicians. Recent insights: 

I was talking to my husband about strategies for being more patient… with myself, with other people.

My four year old son came into the kitchen and told me he had some ideas for me. I told him I’d really like to hear them. This is the astonishing list he shared with me:

#1 (he actually said, “number one is that you should”) concentrate on what you’re doing.

#2 [is that you should] have something to comfort you, like a stuffed animal.

#3 … relax a little.

#4 … don’t interrupt Daddy.

#5 … just do all the jobs you need to do to make money.

OK. Focus on my own stuff. Nurture myself with supportive people/things and outlets that help me relax. Start my patience project at home, with my patient husband. And remember that work can just be work sometimes.

Anybody want to hire Nigel for a tune up?