Natalie has been taking gymnastics classes for about a year now. It has been a mom & tot class where I participate as well and help her through the routines after her "coach" shows us what to do. She does quite well...when she is so inclined...we had a rough summer of rampant disobedience in class. I was to the point where I would have to go stand with her in a corner of the gym facing a wall until she wanted to actually participate (yes, I know she was only 2, and it's not like we are preparing for the Olympics - but she was distracting other kids who had not yet realized they could be so ornery). At the age of 3, they move the kids to an "unassisted" class, where the Moms sit on some bleachers and watch from a distance. I have been dreading this transition. No wonder, considering my flashbacks to her first weeks at preschool when she was horizontal on the sidewalk screaming for someone, anyone, to save her from her awful fate. She can be...ummm..dramatic.
This was her first "unassisted" week, and I tried to play it up and repeat about 1,000 times how EXCITING this is because she is now a BIG girl like some of the neighbor girls (much admired). But let me tell you, I was scared. For myself, mostly. What would I do on the bleachers while my child was screaming loud enough to frighten a gymful of young gymnasts??
Turns out, she was excellent. I had a moment of panic during their warm-up when she turned to look at me, and I waved (why did I do that??) and she broke down crying. It didn't help that it was Mr. Jeff trying to comfort her out there. He's been her coach over the last year, and she has given him the cold shoulder the entire time. She apparently decided early on that middle aged men should not be gymnastics teachers. Who could blame her really? Although, to Mr. Jeff's credit he is incredibly patient, and EVERY other kid loves him. Anyway...she does not. But after warm-up she went with her new class, and Coach Debbie is...a woman...and a good coach, who can do real handstands...and a woman...
She went with Coach Debbie and never looked back. She did the bars and the beam all by herself (what 3 yr olds can do...wipe that image of Nastia Liukin out of your head), and the trampoline (of course, THAT she would do with the devil himself standing nearby...or even Mr.Jeff). I was so proud. And so relieved. Afterward, Miss Debbie told me that most kids run back to where the parents sit at least several times during the first class. Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed for next week. Meanwhile, this week was wonderful. Is it too early to request that all of her future teachers for any school or sport be women?
1 comment:
Don't go there (JK)- come on over here to experience crazy health care. No wonder no one has figured out the health care system becuase it appears socialized nor privatization is the way to go. I might just go to med school to solve our issue:)
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