My parents made me take music lessons as a kid. I refused to do the same to my own children.

The author (not shown) said she started piano lessons in fourth grade, but didn't always enjoy them. Hakase_/Getty Images I loved being in the marching band in high school. I didn't love the practice that was forced on me from a young age, and neither did my husband. We waited until our three kids asked about music lessons instead of...