I have taken another local kid under my wing, and I have mixed feeling about it. Typically I work with young teen, preteen kids from 12-17 or so. There is a kid that is kinda rambunctious, but a pretty cool kid. I was at my daughter's softball game all day yesterday (she is in tournament). I took one of the ukes and sat next to my truck watching the game, and played the uke for hours. This boy (he is also one of my daughter's teamates little brother) I have known since he was a wee lad, and he is a trip. He bugged me to death to let him play my "Little guitar". I finally did, even against my best judgement, because it was one of my good ukes, but I just couldn't not let him try it. I showed him a few chords, and kept correcting him because he was holding it backwards (kinda embarrassed over that, because later I learned from his Mom that he was left handed, lol). So anyway, he kept asking me if he could have my "little guitar", and there was no way, lol.. But, I made a deal with him. I told him that IF he stopped calling it a "little guitar" and started calling it a "Ukulele" that I would teach him how to play a few easy songs. We see him allot at local functions, kids games, etc around the town, besides I know his mom and dad very well because his sister and my daughter are good friends. But at any rate, as many know, I have NO problem giving away a uke to a kid, but this kid is only 8 years old, and before I give him a uke, I want to be sure he is not going to use it to play wiffle ball in the back yard, or as a weapon on one of his sisters. I told this kid, that IF he calls it a "Uke", learns some chords (I will teach him some and a couple easy songs) I will let him keep one of my student ukes to take home and continue his facination with it. But I just want to be sure he really wants to learn to play, and not consider it just another toy. Is that fair enough? He has already been bugging his mom to bring him over here so he can start learning. His mom came to me and asked about it, and I told her the same. IF he wanted to learn, I will teach him, and get him on his way, but he has to play an entire song on his own, and I will give him a Uke. She thought that was so cool, because she enjoyed listening to me play all day yesterday, so she's on board too. I just hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew with an 8 year old.. lol