B
Bella's Mom
I read on here and talk to a lot of kids who express regret that they quit an activity that they loved or were talented in during their young years. Adults talk about wishing their parents hadn't "let" them quit piano lessons. Even some older gymmies on here left the sport as a child only to return as a teenager yet expressing regret at the wasted years they could have been training.
As a parent, how do we know which is the best route for our kids? Where is the line between making our kids finish a commitment and teaching them perseverance versus forcing our kids to stay in an activity that they despise for years?
This isn't just about gymnastics although obviously that will be most of our points of reference. And I hope that we are all mature enough to recognize a different opinion or parenting style does not equal someone being a crazy gym parent or a bad parent.
I bring this up because I mentioned something to my ex MIL about Bella someday quitting gymnastics and she seemed concerned that Bella would end up regretting giving up something that she obviously loves and seems to have a decent aptitude for. She said that Bella would end thanking me if I were to make her stay in gymnastics. She cited the piano lesson example.
Sometimes it seems like parenting is a crap shoot. You never know what you should have done until years after you've done the wrong thing!
As a parent, how do we know which is the best route for our kids? Where is the line between making our kids finish a commitment and teaching them perseverance versus forcing our kids to stay in an activity that they despise for years?
This isn't just about gymnastics although obviously that will be most of our points of reference. And I hope that we are all mature enough to recognize a different opinion or parenting style does not equal someone being a crazy gym parent or a bad parent.
I bring this up because I mentioned something to my ex MIL about Bella someday quitting gymnastics and she seemed concerned that Bella would end up regretting giving up something that she obviously loves and seems to have a decent aptitude for. She said that Bella would end thanking me if I were to make her stay in gymnastics. She cited the piano lesson example.
Sometimes it seems like parenting is a crap shoot. You never know what you should have done until years after you've done the wrong thing!