Take piano lessons was the most common response when we informally surveyed some Enquirer readers.

"It'll be good for you," is a common parental refrain. (Which also applies to eating vegetables.)

With fall upon us, the season when many kids start new activities at school or at home, we asked some adults to think back to their childhoods and tell us what their parents forced - or at least strongly encouraged - them to do. Then we asked how they feel about it today.

Donna Cox

The 52-year old, who lives in Lebanon, is executive administrator for the nonprofit Education Partners Inc.

The activity: Piano lessons.

Who forced me into it: My mother.

Length of suffering: 13 years.

Lowlights: "Not only did I hate the lessons then, but I was taught by a very 'forceful' nun. She used to whack your fingers with a pointer if you made a mistake."

In hindsight: "I am sorry I quit after 13 years. I cannot sit down at the piano today and just play. I have to practice the song over and over again."

Carryover effect: Fourteen-year-old daughter Rachel has been taking piano lessons for nine years, although she's taking a break now. "I have even considered taking piano lessons again," Donna says, "just so I can play more easily."

Daniel DeVoe

The 46-year-old is an auditor for Federated Department Stores from Miami Township (Hamilton County).

The activity: Piano lessons.

Who forced me into it: My mother.

Length of suffering: Third grade through fifth grade.

How I got out of it: "I convinced her to let me quit when I decided to take up clarinet."

The fallout: "I stuck with (clarinet) for three years, when I switched over to singing in the choir for the remainder of my high school years and into college."

In hindsight: "I think my mom wisely backed off when I was growing up and let me make my own choice because it was causing a serious rift in our relationship with her constantly reminding me to practice."

Regrets: "I regret to this day not sticking with piano lessons because I think I would have really enjoyed playing as an adult."

Bill Seitz

The 42-year-old is gallery director of the Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center in Covington, and lives in Liberty Hill.

The activity: Baseball.

Who encouraged me to play: My family.

The background: "From 8 years old, my dad was a prodigy in baseball. He was Mr. Baseball. He was even thinking of going pro. So when I got to that age, (my family) showed me the newspaper articles of Mr. Baseball. I remember my dad walking onto the field with me. All the fathers knew him. It was, 'oh, here comes the Seitz boy.' "

Length of suffering: One summer. "I basically sat the bench. The game ... bored me to death."

Dad's reaction: "Quite honestly I think he was disappointed that I didn't pursue it. (But) my father didn't push me in that direction ever again."

In hindsight: "I always tell my parents how much I appreciate the childhood they gave me. My mom always said, be happy; if you're not happy, it's not worth it."

Mary Lynn Bea

The 27-year-old works in marketing for Procter & Gamble and lives in Hyde Park.

The activity: Soccer.

Who forced me into it: My parents.

For how long: Started at age 4.

How I responded: "I went to the first practice and afterward complained to my mom that 'they made us run to the fence and back. I want to quit!' "

In hindsight: "It's a good thing my parents made me stick with it because here I am 23 years later still playing the game."

What I got out of it: "I've made some of my best friends on the soccer field."

E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com