Maybe the kids do know better, sometimes.

I have never been a competitive person. I guess except for two things: 1. Name that tune and 2. Trivia. For the most part, I am just happy to be included. I don't really think of my husband as competitive either. Somehow though our daughter is a born competitor.

When she was younger I enrolled her in gymnastics. The gym we chose did not participate in competitions and that is what we wanted. After about a year of tumbling and balancing, she asked me when she was going to get to a medal. I explained to her that this gym doesn't have medals. She seemed ok with it and changed the subject. After the next round, she informed me that she was "overdoing the same skills every time and not winning". After a bit of a conversation, we decided not to sign her up for the next one and that it was time to find a new activity. Coincidentally around that same time, my husband and I went to a formal dinner that had a performance. The group was similar to one I had belonged to as a child and I decided that she was going to give it a shot.

The next day I looked up the group that we had seen and I signed her up for her first free class. I was way more excited about it than she was. I talked her into going and a couple of days later we were on our way out and I tried to get her excited for the new activity. When we arrived at the building I went in with her to help her pick out some new gear that they were lending us. I helped her to get ready and then I went outside and waited, hoping that she wasn't going to hate it too much and trying to think of other things she could join if this didn't work out. 

After the hour and a half was up she came running to the car. "Did you know that I could win a medal or a trophy?". She told me all about the ways she could compete and all the prizes she could win. I don't think she paused or took a breath the whole way home. Here we are three years later and she still lives and breathes for it. 

After my initial reticence at allowing her to compete, I am happy that we let her give it a shot. It seems that we don't always know best and sometimes letting the kid take the lead is the best part. Watching her up there, knowing the happiness that it brings her is all I need. Now, if only I could get her as excited to walk the dog.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Momma's Boy

Image
 My son is technically an adult. I mean he is 18 and in the Navy. So I guess he can be called a grown-up. He left for basic training in September and wound up halfway across the country. After graduation, he was sent even further away. I guess I wouldn't call him a Momma's boy in the traditional sense. He is far too independent for that. He makes his own decisions and while I may be consulted from time to time, I wouldn't say he needs me to make decisions.  I do miss him terribly though.  The good news is that he is back for Christmas. A whole month! The bad news is that I have to share him with his friends and other members of my family. Including his girlfriend. And I am having a bit of a hard time with it. Not with her, she is a lovely person and she loves him very much. She makes him happy, and I am glad that he has her to talk to about the things he can't talk to me about.  Here is the rub. I am having problems sharing him. He has been home for three days. And s...
Read more

Changes, or how I never thought I would miss the last guy.

Image
 My word it has been a while.  Over the time I have not been here many things have changed, as they tend to do. And the other things that haven't changed are the ones that will bring you down.  Now, you know I can't resist talking at least a little about politics. So let's get that out of the way.  Alberta, we are on the cliff. As of July 1, 2022 (according to Google) our province's population was 4,543, 111. That is a lot of people. Through the magic of politics, 42000 people elected our current leader, on their sixth shot at it.  I am sure you know about our current leader. How can you go anywhere without hearing about her next try at speaking her truth into existence and then backtracking on what she said like a three year with red hands telling you that they aren't the one who got red paint all over your walls? I never thought I would be able to say anything positive about our last leader, but at least Kenbabe never seemed to be actively trying to tear our p...
Read more

Deep Breaths

Image
 This time of year is always so busy.  Parties, shopping, kid performances, trying to stay warm and sane.  Everything is happening at the same time.  Which is somewhat contradictory. To me anyway.  It's cold, it's dark, and my basic instinct is telling me to stay home and hide from the people who don't live here.  This is a rough time of year for many people. Even if you remove the financial constraints to throw yourself into debt and make sure that all the people you love know how much you love them through the magic of material goods. That is if you have loved ones. If you don't everywhere you turn you are reminded that everyone has a happy family. Except you. Then your brain, the liar, starts to tell you all the things wrong with you and why you don't have a family. Or why you aren't good enough for your family, if you have one.  On top of all of the pressure we place on ourselves, there are social pressures. Invitations, expectations, work parties,...
Read more