How to Help Daughter Have Fun?

I would go ahead and put your daughter back into it, maybe look for a more advanced class so that she won't get bored or talk to the teacher to see if she can have your daughter working on something more advance while the other girls are repeating those things that they didn't get.

Starting when my kids were young, I tried to reinforce certain ideas in their heads...one was that they will have to practice what they love in order to be good, and continue to practice to stay good. I used Michael Jordan as an example, he didn't became a great basketball star on talent alone, he had to work for it and he stayed the best because he kept working on it. Try using an example that she would understand tho! I also told my kids that some things might seem difficult for them to do now because their bodies aren't full grown, but to keep with it because as their bodies grow, it will become easier and easier for them to do until they won't think about it at all, that we all go through this.

I'm a dancer (as a hobby) and there is a thing called 'muscle memory' she is training her muscles to remember the moves and as she grows, those muscles will work more smoothly and fluently, just like the teachers, maybe better because she's starting young. I know that if I don't dance for awhile, I'll be stiff and have to work at it a bit, but because I've trained my muscles to move that way, it comes back to me fairly quickly (muscle memory).

When I was a child, I took piano lessons and when I was about 9 or 10 yrs old, I complain to my parents that I didn't like all the practice time though deep down inside, I loved being able to play. My parents cancelled lessons and I was so disappointed because I really did love to play, I just didn't like the practice time that took time away with my friends who were playing outside (usually in our yard! lol). I still regret not keeping up with those lessons (I'm 41)! Don't let her make the same mistake. If she loves it and you know that she does, have her keep with it until she tells you that she absolutely hates it and refuses to go (which is when she will most likely stop doing it at home too).

H. - as a mom of older children (daughter 20 and son 16), there will always be things that they stop doing at an early age and regret it later.

Perhaps she's ready for something more advanced or a different type of class. There's lot of different type of dance classes or gymnastic classes. She obviously enjoyed the things she learned she just needs to find the right fit.

BTW - I had the same attitude when my children were little, I wanted them to experience different things and make good choices so they didn't regret it later. I think I put a lot of stress on them because they weren't capable of always making the "right" choice. Guide her as much as you can.

And you're right, enjoy! Sports and activites should be fun. If you're having to drag them out the door - it's not fun!

At this age, I would not take your daughter's words too literally. If she enjoyed the class and is good at it, I would sign her up again. Kids' opinions of a class or an activity can change by the moment. If an activity or sport is not a fit for your child, you will know. If it is a fit (and it sounds like this is), there is benefit to sticking with it through a child's moods. There are endless opportunities available to kids now (not like when I was growing up) so pick one or two based on your knowledge of your child and stick with them.

I've been through this with my daughter and Karate. She'll say she doesn't want to go, and then will smile the whole way through class and after. She is proud of her overall accomplishment even though not every class is fun or goes well for her. That is, I believe, and important lesson for a child of any age.

At this point I wouldn't press it. She is 3 and JUST got done taking lessons, let her be for awhile and then ask her maybe sometime in a couple weeks while she is dancing. I completely understand, my son that just turned three in April is like this. He is a great little boy, but when it comes to doing things he feels like he has to do them right; if he does they are fun, if not then he thinks it is too hard.

Suggestion: Maybe let her sit out of ballet and have her try tumbling, it is much easier and I think that she may have more fun!

Good luck to you =)

Keep talking to her. My son is similar, but in a different way: he is wary of new experiences (which you'd never guess; he's very outgoing and loves socializing), to the point that he won't seek them out at all. He loves playing baseball, but getting him to t-ball? No way. We simply encourage him, reassure his fears, and work with him a lot. Maybe you can talk with her teacher...maybe you can put her in a class where the kids are more focused (not a more intense class; just different kids...or maybe even a year older?) and like her. Maybe a different studio/program/whatever would suit her better? You could maybe even put it to her that if she enjoys it, maybe she should consider being a part of it? Ultimately, though, I believe it should be her choice. She followed through and finished the year out, and if she didn't enjoy it, the work ruined it for her, then so be it. Maybe a year away from it will make her miss it enough to pick it up when she's older! You could even do things at home that remind her of her passions--videos? Making up dances of her own, using what she knows?

I know how you feel... mys daughter just turned 3 and has been this "perfectionist" since she was 2 years old. My daughter loves doing anything but when she says it is hard and no longer wants to do it any more I see it as more of frustration on her face that she can not do it perfectly. I just keep reminding her that even if it is hard to keep practicing and have fun with it.

At this age you may see her having fun with the dance so sign her up again, maybe see if they do other types of dance for her age. If you see that she is no longer enjoying it or has lost interest and wants to move onto something else that is understandable to have her move onto something else. Remember you are the parent and just say lets sign up for one type of class, let her choose the class, and keep encouraging her to have fun. My mom always said during the summer & school yer we had to be in one type of summer class (t-ball, swim, tennis, dance, whatever) or after school activity (newspaper, swim, basketball and so on) just to keep active, we got to choose what we wanted to do but we had to do at least one (most of us choose two).