Five year old doesn't want to develop his talent?

Question

My five year old has always had an interest in gymnastics. He could do a cartwheel at three 1/2, and has just always had a natural talent in that type of thing. My husband even home made some equipment for him to play on, and he does constantly. We recently enrolled him in gymnastics classes, and he really enjoyed it. He has only gone twice, and the second time he went, the teacher was showing him how to do a handstand on the parallel bars and he slipped while coming down and bumped his head. Now he doesn't want to go back at all. We haven't paid for the class yet since it was a free trial, but we'll have to next time he goes. He doesn't want to go back no matter how much encouragement I give him, and I don't know what I should do. He has never done well with defeat, and I know this is the problem, but I know he would still love it. The problem is I don't want to force him to do something he says he doesn't want to do, and spend alot of money on it for that matter. What should I do?

For all those people being rude, I'd like everyone to know that it was HIS choice to go in the first place, not mine. He came home from school with a flyer for it and was so excited, so we signed him up. In no way was I forcing him to do this in the first place. He got upset not because he doesn't like gymnastics anymore, but because he got hurt and feels like he can't do it right. My problem was the fact that I don't want him to miss out on something he may really enjoy just because of one little mistake. My problem is that I don't want him to learn to just give up.Hopefully some people got my point.

I'd like to know exactly how I'm being pushy and overbearing by finding my son something to do that he enjoys. If he wouldn't have wanted to go, I wouldn't have taken him to the damn class in the first place.

Answer 1

my son who is now 18 was very good at gymnastics.he started at 7 on his on free will and within 2 classes he went from barely doing a cartwheel to roundoff backhandsprings! i also was a gymnast. sad part i couldnt afford to keep him in it.he even came in second at a meet. coaches was shocked to find out he was only in the class at that time for 2 months.they all wanted him.it's hard to see a child who has this kind of talent not want to do it but as sad as it seems it is his choice.anytime my son messed up he would get soooo mad even to this day! he almost quit once cause he fell on the horse and hurt you know what! he was embarrassed.what i did was tell him about some even worse things that happened in my gymnastic days aka mommy breaking her butt! teacher having her nose kicked by a girl and it broke. i laughed as i told some of the stories and he was ok after that. if he really likes it he will go back.kinda give him some time or every now and then turn it on t.v. and see what happens.good luck!

Answer 2

I could allow her do it. She'll make plenty of peers doing it and if she needs to do it then allow her when you consider that she'll definitely have amusing. Tell her it is only a trial. If she does not find it irresistible or does not wanna move to all of the categories you'll be able to continuously pull her out. And she'll have the relaxation of her existence to check out new matters, she's handiest five. As for loved ones dinners simply time table them a little bit later, is there anybody else that would take her to bounce. Do you must keep there? You would get dinner began then decide upon her up and devour while you get dwelling. Good success

Answer 3

Perhaps you should consider taking him to another class of some sort. Maybe there is a different gymnastics class at the YMCA that he could be part of. Otherwise I would explain to him that if he wants to take the class, he has to sign up this week, or else he will have to wait until next year. If he still says no, there really is nothing you can do until next year, or the start of the next class. Just keep encouraging him at whatever he is passionate about and remember that his passions may change every time the wind blows.
Take Care!
:o)

Answer 4

Take him to one class, but where he is not actually in it, he is just watching other kids. Explain to him that you are only going for a visit and not to play on the bars. He'll see that the other kids are having fun and not getting hurt (hopefully they don't fall down too!) And he may want to join them next class. If not, you can always try next year.

Answer 5

maybe just give him some time, he can always change his mind and do it in a few months or a year. maybe find out if he would like to try a different sport for a while, a team sport would be good if he's already starting to have a bit of a disagreeable attitude. he's always going to get hurt playing whatever he chooses to play, so he'll just have to learn that he'll have no fun quitting every time he does get hurt.

Answer 6

Back off for right now. He's only five and had a scary event happen to him. If you pressure too much, it could backfire even more.

See if he's interested in six months or so- or try something (different activity/sport) else to see if you can pique his interests again.

Answer 7

Try to explain to him that if he gets hurt to get up and try again. You could also try to get him to do his gymanstics at home so he'll see how much fun it is and encourage him alot. Renforce how great he is and how fun it is. Do it with him! Or you can wait for a while and then try again later.

Answer 8

Maybe you should stop being such a pushy overbearing parent trying to overcome your own insecurities and deficincies by living vicariously through your FIVE YEAR OLD! Let him be a toddler.

Answer 9

Don't push him into it, the more you do it will push him away from it even more. Let him be and maybe in time he will want to go back.

Answer 10

just wait him out.... he may just be scared since his little accident. Make sure u guys keep encouraging him though... he'll probably come through.... good luck....