(no subject)
I have always loved artistic gymnastics. From the time I was a kid and like thousands of others, watched Mary Lou Retton win the AA gold medal in 1984. I read books about Nadia Comaneci and Olga Korbut. I had one book that I read over and over and over again until it literally fell apart. However, I was not made to do gymnastics. The few classes I took ended up as family jokes. But I never quit loving gymnastics. In 2004, I talked Brad into taking me to the Tournament of Champions after the Olympics, when they came through San Antonio and I still think of that as a major highlight of my life. When I had kids, I enrolled them all in gymnastics classes as soon as they were old enough thinking they might love it and actually be good at it, but it seemed clear within a year or so that they were not really into it. So we went for other sports and I quietly continued to LOVE to watch gymnastics.
When Zoe began trying to do cartwheels and handstands in the living room at 8 years old (almost 9), I asked her of she'd like gymnastics classes again and she enthusiastically agreed. She was obsessed from day one. I've tried my hardest to keep my own enthusiasm in check. I did not ever want her doing gymnastics because she thought I wanted her to do it. I was honest about my own love for the sport, but didn't inundate her with it and actually undercut the sport, telling her how hard it was and how painful it could be and how dangerous, almost discouraging her at times. But I'm sure I could not completely hide the fact that I was thrilled to watch her do it. Maria certainly picked up on it and asked me point blank one day if I liked watching gymnastics more than soccer. I felt I had to be honest and answered that IN GENERAL I like watching gymnastics more that I like watching than soccer, but I enjoy watching HER play soccer. I think she got it and wasn't too damaged by that. Hope so, anyway. But I have continued to worry that Zoe would push herself too hard or continue to do gymnastics even if she stopped liking it because of me. She is a people pleaser, big time and it is the kind of thing she would do. I honestly do not relish the thought of one of my children as a higher level gymnast. It is truly very dangerous. But now...I don't think I could stop her if I tried. She told me one day after a hard practice, when I said she could quit gymnastics and try swimming or diving, that she will NEVER quit and if I tried to make her quit she would run away or never come out of her room again. Heh. As the child is upside down almost 24/7, I think I should just let it go and let her love it and stop worrying so much about pushing or damaging her in some way.
I really need to quit worrying so much. And just enjoy the fact that this year is an Olympic year and I can get my glut of gymnastics again!!
When Zoe began trying to do cartwheels and handstands in the living room at 8 years old (almost 9), I asked her of she'd like gymnastics classes again and she enthusiastically agreed. She was obsessed from day one. I've tried my hardest to keep my own enthusiasm in check. I did not ever want her doing gymnastics because she thought I wanted her to do it. I was honest about my own love for the sport, but didn't inundate her with it and actually undercut the sport, telling her how hard it was and how painful it could be and how dangerous, almost discouraging her at times. But I'm sure I could not completely hide the fact that I was thrilled to watch her do it. Maria certainly picked up on it and asked me point blank one day if I liked watching gymnastics more than soccer. I felt I had to be honest and answered that IN GENERAL I like watching gymnastics more that I like watching than soccer, but I enjoy watching HER play soccer. I think she got it and wasn't too damaged by that. Hope so, anyway. But I have continued to worry that Zoe would push herself too hard or continue to do gymnastics even if she stopped liking it because of me. She is a people pleaser, big time and it is the kind of thing she would do. I honestly do not relish the thought of one of my children as a higher level gymnast. It is truly very dangerous. But now...I don't think I could stop her if I tried. She told me one day after a hard practice, when I said she could quit gymnastics and try swimming or diving, that she will NEVER quit and if I tried to make her quit she would run away or never come out of her room again. Heh. As the child is upside down almost 24/7, I think I should just let it go and let her love it and stop worrying so much about pushing or damaging her in some way.
I really need to quit worrying so much. And just enjoy the fact that this year is an Olympic year and I can get my glut of gymnastics again!!