Originally uploaded by dreamingindc
Screaming and crying, my daughter stood in line for her soccer pictures. It has been the third time that she has begged to be in an activity, and then refused to participate. After ten minutes of this, I turned to the coach and the other mothers, and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore.” They gave me hugs and said that they understood, but I wondered if they really did.
One of the life lessons that I want to teach my children is to not give up. Even if they don’t succeed the first time, they have to continue going until they finally get it right. I want them to be functioning adults who will strive to always achieve their dreams. However, I feel like I gave up and this will cause her to turn into someone who will easily give up whenever the going gets tough. It’s something that is bothering me, and I don’t have the answers to this issue.
The first time Isabelle wanted to do soccer, I registered her. She didn’t want to go near anyone until the 5th game. After that, she was playing soccer with her team. Later, she asked to be in ballet. Her friend from her Kindergarten class was in the same class. For a month, I ran to get her to class with no success. The teacher would come in, look at me, and solemnly shake her head. I decided that I couldn’t do it anymore, so I took her out.
She asked to be in soccer again, and here we are. What frustrated me so much this time was that it was the same coach and girls from last year. Also, she played for a few practices, and then decided one day to no longer participate. It was to the point that it would ruin my weekends. After the 7th attempt to have her participate, I decided that enough was enough.
I feel like I have given up on her, but I couldn’t do it anymore. Hopefully, my endurance will be something that she remembers and she will learn to not be a quitter. However, I am not sure it will.
