We had our first tumbling class today. I don't know if I've mentioned it before (sarcasm) that my daughter is a tad (more sarcasm) energetic. I figured that nothing could be more appropriate for her than a tumbling class. I had some trepidation, though, because my girl is VERY easily distracted (shocker) and I wasn't sure how well she would do in a "class" setting.
I worry about her sometimes. I hate putting that out there. It makes me feel squidgy to say that I am afraid there might be something not normal about her. I feel like all of the kids we spend time with are so much calmer and more responsive. Getting her to do something she doesn't want to do is tantamount to asking water to go UP Niagara Falls. Stubborn, thy name is Sophie.
But I hoped that this tumbling class would provide enough freedom that we wouldn't have trouble. At first things went well, she was fearless, going on every piece of equipment, even allowing the instructor to help her do some real tumbling. But when it came time to sit in a circle and do group activities, things went way downhill. She wouldn't sit, her preferred spot was standing/dancing/hopping in the middle of the circle. Or racing off to jump on one of the thick bouncy mats. Or the trampoline. Or climbing on the flying trapeze and diving into the foam pit. In most cases, taking the route that I couldn't follow her because she is small and I am not. Which meant that I was then scrambling to get around whatever was in between us and catch up to her. This included at least one header for mommy when I wasn't watching where I was going closely enough.
By the end of the class, I was sweaty and frustrated and incapable of not speaking through clenched teeth. So much for my dreams of her happily going along with all of the activities. I spent the entire time apologizing for my daughter climbing in front of their kids while I pulled her back and told her to wait her turn. I had "that" kid. Let's just say I didn't make any mommy friends.
Neil asked me if I was excited for the rest of the 11 week session. Ask me after next week.
**We have a great giveaway going on over at BlogTrotting! Have you stopped in yet?**
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Everyone has THAT kid at some point, trust me. Like when Jack ran around during his soccer games with his hands in his shorts, or when Sam refused to sing during the kinder music performance. Stick with it if you can!
ReplyDeleteI'd be mommy friends with you...oh, wait...I am!! She's fine! Don't apologize for her! She's a girl who knows what she wants! You're doing fine!
ReplyDeleteShe is not "THAT" kid. I bet she was precious and adorable and delicious-looking and I'm quite put-out that you didn't post a picture of her sweet self.
ReplyDeleteIt is something new. Give her a chance to adjust and don;t be so hard on yourself. We've all been there.
ReplyDeleteThe gym class cookie crumbles the same way for us, with both my daughter and my son. They know exactly what they want to do and exactly what they don't. Our instructor says that's OK, good even, that they're exploring. (My sanity is so thankful for her!) Hang in there and have fun, headers into the foam pit aside.
ReplyDeleteThat is so totally normal, Cara. My little man is the same way. They're kids, and they don't sit well for any length of time. Your Bean is absolutely normal, and she's going to be an amazingly extroverted, strong, endearing girl that everyone will love because she'll be the life of the party....in a GOOD way.
ReplyDeleteCOmpletely normal. It's just the age and being so excited to want to accomplish somany new things all in like one minute, lol. I had one who would sit and listen in a group...and another who is Sophie to a T.
ReplyDeleteThey both tuned out focused and fine.
My Bub did not take naturally to "circle time" in any of the kiddie classes we did. However, the more we went to each class, the more he started to get with the program to the point that he would race to sit down in the circle.
ReplyDeleteI've been there, for sure, the mom with sweat stains under her armpits at the end of class.
She's SUPPOSED to be that kid. She's two, right? Two year olds are incredibly self centered, it's asking a lot for them to stand in line, wait their turn and sit quietly. If she's expected to do all that, I'd say there's nothing wrong with her, but the class needs to be made more age appropriate.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree with Wendy. Everyone has "that" kid at some point. I think its funny how the kids in our playgroup take turns being "that" kid. I know its easy to say this when I'm not her full time mommy, but I love Sophie's energy. I tell so many people about how fun and adorable she is. Yep, she's one of my favorite little peeps.
ReplyDeleteThis was totally me and Hayden when I we when did a tumbling class. It will get better, not a lot but better. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds identical to Gabe's first gymnastics class. Gabe was also "that" kid, not following direction unless it was something he wanted to do. Circle time? Fogetaboutit.
ReplyDeleteIt will get better. Hang in there. I wouldn't lie to you...
And I agree with Lula; where are the adorable pictures?
Oh, chickie, I feel for you because *my* kid is *that kid* too. He had never, and I mean never from the time he could walk on his own two feet, ever sat for any kind of circle whatsoever. We are now dealing with that in preschool. Or rather, we aren't. Gah! My advice is to keep at it.... But then, I guess I'm not really in a position to dish out advice!
ReplyDeletePS I will be linking to you in a special post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was frustrating for you but maybe just let her be THAT kid sometimes. She's got years to abide to by the rules and play nice but you only get the time to be a kid, getting away with stuff for a few short years.
ReplyDeletewe all think we have "that" kid and those that don't are in denial
ReplyDeleteIt can only get better, right? When we switched the twins to the higher level music class, they were totally "those" kids, but it's better. They're learning more and more about taking turns and if I hold onto Matt's shirt, he actually waits. Hang in there (and wear short sleeves...always wear short sleeves)!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are feeling. I have been there. I am sometimes still there. Today Emily put Lauren's Pink Eye Drops in our chihuahua's eyes while I was drying my hair. I so know how you feel, Cara. Hang in there. Relish the sleep time.....:) Eventually, she will be that kid in a good way. ☺
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Sugarbear! ;)
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was just all so new... I'd say after another class or 2, she'll get used to the class.
It's too bad that circle time comes at the end of class. The instructor of my kids' class uses free exploration time sort of as reward for getting them to participate in the more structured part of class. Not sure if you can get that to change, but it might be worth at least a mention? I'm learning to be more forceful in my advocating for my kids, who tend to be the shy, crying, clinging ones rather than the run around ones: that's its own challenge.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mep that just keeping going works in the end. O. did not participate in tumbling for probably a full year, and now it's his favorite activity of the week.
Sophie's tumbling experience sounds like Azita at Gymboree. We gave up after a half dozen classes. I figure we can't afford it anyways, and luckily we had gotten some crazy cheap introductory price for those classes. I think I'll be happy enough if she can just sit still for a little while by the time she enters kindergarten. That's when it actually counts, right?
ReplyDelete