The girls had their first gymnastics class yesterday, really their first exposure to any type of group activity except for church. It did not go well, my extra shy one came running off the floor crying after about 5 minutes and her sister lasted maybe 5 more minutes. They refused to go back with their class, even with my DH sitting with them. This a new situation for us- what do we do? They are saying they don't want to go back but it doesn't seem like a great idea to let them quit so soon. They seem so young compared to the other kids, maybe because they have been sheltered until now. Any been there/done that stories??

Kelli GGB May 2007 @ 28.3 weeks

Kelli
GGB 28.3 weeks 5/3/07

http://yesihavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

We started gymnastics for my GBG in May. In our gym, parents can stay only on the outskirts of the floor or from a viewing area upstairs. While we have tons of library/playgroup/music class experience, this was our first mommy's not in class with us experience. I started by being SUPER excited and telling them after class we were headed out to lunch since they were going to use up so much energy. I showed them where I'd be, then a basically shoved them at their teacher and took off runnin Well not running, but you get the drift. My kids are the kids who search me out and wave every 5 seconds, but they have only run off the floor in case of potty needs.

I wouldn't let them quit. But I am a hard a$$ mommy. I would tell them if they didn't want to participate in the class, fine, but they were going and could sit on the gym floor while the rest of the class went on. If there is anyway at all, you can make yourself less available to them - ie, waving through a window? I'd do that. I would also set up a balance beam at your house (long board stacked up on books) and make it so super duper fun that they want to go "impress" their teacher with what they learned at home. Finally, I'd offer them a reward for going, without calling it a reward. Like the lunch afterward for their energy boost, or the best treat (juice box? fruit roll up?) in the whole world waiting for them in your hand as soon as class is over.

How has our gym handled it? Do they make class fun? Ours offers stamps for a job well done - maybe you could do that? We also get a very tiny trophy after each session - if yours does, could you show them one as an incentive?

I'm just throwing out ideas that work here - but don't think for a second I haven't been that mom leaving a place sweaty with all 3 kids dragging behind her. Been there too many time to recall. Been there today - twice - in fact.

Anna Lucia, 4lbs 7oz
Matthew Ronald, 4lbs
Sophia Christine, 3lbs 13oz
Born screaming 2/5/07!

http://fruitsaladchronicles.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your suggestions! I really think that part of it was that the "teachers" are high school students who seemed sort of clueless when the girls freaked out. I think I need to make them sit out on the floor if they don't want to participate. I can be tough but you know there's always a part of me that wants to say ok, let's go home!
I did overhear one of the girls lining up all of the little people and having them sit on "pads", maybe she's processing it all

Kelli
GGB 28.3 weeks 5/3/07

http://yesihavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

I did the opposite with our boys and soccer. We enrolled them in the appropriate age class just after they turned 3.

Total nightmare.

One fixated on the tennis raquet the coach was carrying and couldn't think of anything but how he wanted to play with the raquet. One refused to even go on the floor, and one was willing, but not very happy about it. Oh....and they had more kids than balls, so of COURSE the dipwad teaching it decides that my 3 kids can share 1 ball while all the other kids have their own. Nice.

After 3 classes of this - and we brought our OWN 3 soccer balls after the 1st class, we called it quits.

At 4, we enrolled them in a beginning gymnastics class and it was fine. They just weren't ready for the organized sports activity at 3 with soccer...plus, there were WAY too many kids in that class.

Oh....and the kid fixated on the tennis raquet? Started tennis lessons this summer right before his 6th birthday and LOVES LOVES LOVES it. He still has no use for soccer!

BBB born 7/26/04 at 35 weeks

I'm trying to think what my kids did. I remember the only time I wasn't with them is when I went to the gym and they stayed in the babysitting room there. They would cry - all the time! No other kid was crying, they had things to do, toys to play with, friends to play with, they wanted nothing to do with any of it. Everyone told me, leave them they will get use to it....well a couple of years down the road and now they tell me how they hated it! They hated being there. I feel horrable. But what we did do is I took my shy one which at that time was my DD to dance, by herself and she loved it. She loved the one on one time with me and she didn't play off her brothers. To this day our kids are the only kids that are in a different place then the other kids and it's only when all 3 are together. Its nice to see they love each other and have their special world. So long story short if you are able try taking one. And they don't all have to do something different at the same time. This time she's doing it then next it will be you and then you.
Good luck,
Donna Proud Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary 7 years old