Do you want to do my autism music therapy idea with me?
What do you think about a music therapy / art therapy initiative for autistic people of all ages. My husband and I do a lot of music therapy work with children and adolescents reimbursed through Medicaid and scholarships. I am homeschooling a 6 and 2 year old and I won’t be able to work as much so I’m thinking of ideas that are not oriented to hourly fees.
I think what I want to ask is your advice. And also if you’re interested in partnership, as a research or curiosity. Or as a guide. Because I’m a music therapist and not a business person at all. My husband is also a music therapist and autistic and he is particularly brilliant as a music therapist. But he is getting older (54) and won’t be able to keep doing the same work forever and I’m trying to imagine new possibilities that are useful and meaningful in the world. He just quit his job as a school teacher to do music therapy privately so this is a good time to start something new.
Now I feel embarrassed for even writing this email because I know you’re going to see through it to the real question and the real issue, which I can’t seem to quite grasp yet.
It’s really difficult to be 54 and realize you need to keep supporting a family for 20 more years. I’m in the same position. It requires a mental shift toward acceptance. It requires pacing oneself. Your husband will have to handle this on his own becuase you’re homeschooling two kids. You will not be able to start any new business with him.
I noticed that during the time I was raising kids I kept thinking I was having all these great ideas and not acting on them and it was such a waste. After I spent a decade telling myself I should be doing more I accept now that everyone has good ideas and no one has an idea so original that they are the only one with that idea. So the difference between ideas is execution and commitment. People who taking care of children are committed to executing on that job. There is not room for another. But also there is not a need for another if we take pride and joy in that job we’re doing.
I wish I had done that with more calmness and grace and less anxiety, so I’m telling you: you can have a good idea and recognize it and let it go. We do not have to chase every idea we have. We can be greatful that we have ideas. That’s enough. And then go back to the idea we chose to go after: being a good parent and having a stable family.
Penelope