Back in Gymnastics

We went back in gymnastics today and I am a happy mom.It's every mom's dream to have her child get into something she loves doing and can be good at. I always tell my kids about how God has blessed them with talents and how they should make the most of it, but even if that's my desire, my role is to just expose them and give them the opportunities, to move on it is up to them.When the kids were much younger, around 3 to 5 years old, it would be much simpler. I enrol them in different activities and bring them to all these and they do whatever we expose them to. They go and have fun, because they don't know any better (cue evil laugh, mwahaha :) ) plus the activities for younger kids are more fun than structured.Now that they are older, the activities become more demanding and serious, mixed in with more interests and distractions that the kids already have, the temptation to just stay home and veg is much greater. Not all kids are excited about trying new things or getting their bodies moving so sometimes there is a need for some gentle persuasion.- First I lay down all options. I Choose around 3 options of activities I think my child will like and enjoy (factoring in already the cost of the activities plus the logistics of having to bring him or her to and from the sessions. I collect brochures, or check out the listings in the Mommy Pages Directory and the individual websites of activity providers, and do my research to show to them.- Then I talk to my child and show them the different options but make it mandatory for them to choose 1 from the choices you've laid out.. This is where good sales talking comes in!- So then I end up with a sure ball activity. If they are still hesitant, I say that they can just try a few weeks of one and go to another one if they want, or sometimes I even ask if they want their friends to join them so it will be more fun.So for my daughter, in her 7 years, she has tried a whole variety of activities...BalletKids YogaSwimming(and even excelled in it!)KindermusikGymnastics in CoventryTennisGuitarAfter her old gymnastics school closed, we've gone back to the first club she joined and she's tumbled happily back with her first coaches. She's also opted to go back to tennis next week! Double win for mom! The sales talk must have worked!By the way, "bribing" her with a spanking new gym outfit to wear seems to have helped a lot too.:)