Not again!

We are taking a step backwards (or a step of defiance), I am not quite sure yet.  Sidney has been doing great up until lately.  She has been bold and living large.  She has been swimming at lessons, ice skating and doing gymnastics (not all at the same time of course).  All of this progress came to a crashing halt a couple of weeks ago.  It started in gymnastics, which she is fantastic at.  She was the only 4 year old that could do chin ups, several of them, unassisted.  After several lessons, she started freaking out.  She cried and refused to go.  The same thing started happening in swim. 

Of course, us being who were are, started getting super frustrated.  At one point I think I told her that she would never get in the water again if she did not go to her lesson - really?  No baths - what was I thinking?  Of course, this did not work at all!  Finally after about 3 times of this between gymnastics and swim, we were at our breaking point.  Alas, internet to the rescue.  Kevin did his research and we found a much better approach.  It goes something like this...

Sidney:  "I am not doing it."

Us:  "Sidney, you are not a quitter.  Dress down and join your team.  We will not make you do the activities, but you need to get dressed and join your team." 

At swim this means she must sit on the edge of the pool.  At gymnastics she must sit on the side of the mat.  We sit near her and talk to her about what the other kids are doing.  What do you think will come next?  Does that look easy?  Does that look hard?  Does she know how to do it?  She declares several times that she does not want to participate.  We reply, "Okay, but you are part of the team and must participate by getting dressed and sitting with your team.  Quitting is not an option."  After about 5 minutes of this, she starts to jump in and ends up having a blast. 

Exhausting?  Yes.  Happy?  Yes.  This parenting thing is hard work!