One Week at a Time.

October 15, 2011: Week Five: One week at a time.

Keeping in mind the concerns and questions that emerged last week, I asked Freddy if he wanted to attend soccer this time before dressing him. I sought to present him with the option and not limit his opinion. He responded by crying: “No, no! I don’t want to go to soccer! I want to stay home!” His regularly scheduled tantrum was as if he was in utter agony from some type of torture I was afflicting upon him.

http://www.empoweringparents.com/Stopping-a-temper-tantrum.php#

I decided that it may be favorable to sit this one out at home. We recently returned from a trip to Florida and are still in recuperation mode. However, I explained to my son that although we were not venturing out today, we will attend next week. When I least expected it, that gleam in his eye flashed itself and sparkled in the reflection of my vision upon him. That spark lit up his face with joy when I agreed to stay home and play.

Wow! His discontentment for soccer seems worse than I had imagined. I initially registered him in the league since he enjoys running. My thoughts were that this would be a valuable and safe opportunity for him to fulfill that enjoyment. Soccer is a reasonable sport for beginners his age.

It is not my goal for him to assume that it is acceptable to end his involvement in soccer prematurely. I expect him to put in the effort next week and continue even if it is on the sideline “watching and learning”.

My plan is to manage this one week at a time. If this displeases him to the point of boredom and dissatisfaction, then we will discontinue and bring this to a close. I am concerned that resigning before the season ends may be teaching Freddy that it is appropriate to surrender, that starting something and not following it through is satisfactory. He is just four years young and on the other hand, at this particular stage, he may not perceive that this is quitting, he may see this as soccer is over, and nothing more.

As far as possibilities of other developmental delays existing and thoughts that haunt me, as of now, there is no additional evidence that suggests this to be the case. It seems to be isolated to speech.

Freddy and I enjoyed playing at home, I engaged in imaginative play with him and he was ecstatic. He has a love for building and constructing things, tools, and the like. He is mechanically inclined and has the innate gift of working with his hands.

If I could only find local classes that would emphasize that talent!

 

He would rather do this than play soccer

 

Freddy loves to paint