My DD is generally a very good kid who listens to her mom with a minimum of whining. We were at the playground with her friend the other day and when it was time to go, she basically just flat out refused to leave. This is very unusual for her, but what surprised me even more was when she said, "If you make me leave, I'll quit! I'll quit gymnastics!"
Woah.
I stopped everything and sat her down right there in the playground to have a heart to heart. I let her know that gymnastics is her sport and if she ever wants to quit, that's fine by me (I'll save a ton of $$$!). I reminded her that she should never feel like she's doing this sport for me, or anyone but herself, and that I will love her and be proud of her no matter what she chooses to do.
When our heart-to-heart was over, she still didn't want to leave, but she sincerely apologized on the way home (one of those real, unprompted apologies).
Have any of you ever experienced a moment like that? What did you say to your dd/ds?
I felt so taken aback because I feel like I try really hard not to project my excitement over her gymnastics accomplishments (or sadness over her struggles) too strongly. I don't want to be one of those moms, you know? At the same time, I want to support her. It seems like a tough thing to balance, but I do my best.
Woah.
I stopped everything and sat her down right there in the playground to have a heart to heart. I let her know that gymnastics is her sport and if she ever wants to quit, that's fine by me (I'll save a ton of $$$!). I reminded her that she should never feel like she's doing this sport for me, or anyone but herself, and that I will love her and be proud of her no matter what she chooses to do.
When our heart-to-heart was over, she still didn't want to leave, but she sincerely apologized on the way home (one of those real, unprompted apologies).
Have any of you ever experienced a moment like that? What did you say to your dd/ds?
I felt so taken aback because I feel like I try really hard not to project my excitement over her gymnastics accomplishments (or sadness over her struggles) too strongly. I don't want to be one of those moms, you know? At the same time, I want to support her. It seems like a tough thing to balance, but I do my best.