My very shy 7 yr old ran for president in her 2nd grade class. She did not win but that was not the problem. She was hurt because she knew that no one voted for her out of a class of 16. How can I help ease the pain.
2007-09-20 14:48:10 · 12 answers · asked by TMT 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
My first question is how does she know that no one voted for her? If the teacher told her or counted the votes out loud then I personally would raise a stink with the teacher and principal. Feelings are feelings and even though she'll face lots of disappointments in life this could be one that sticks with her. I know many people on here will disagree with this but if I were you I would ask the teacher if she can bring in cupcakes and juice to celebrate. That will help the other children see that she's a great girl and it will teach your daughter how to bounce back from disappointment by meeting it head on.
I hope she gets over her hurt soon.
2007-09-20 15:02:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Ah, that really brings me back to my own childhood. I was very shy and my feelings were easily broken. Good on her for trying something new!
If I were you I'd focus on the fact that she ran. That's awesome in my book! Tell her how proud you are! Focus on the good things that can come of it. Try to stay away from the fact that these things are just about popularity. My mom never did but I'm sure it would just hurt more had she brought it up.
I would also ask her what she likes to do. Does she like sports? Does she like writing or reading? My mom would let me go to a library club and I loved it. I didn't have to talk but I had a sense of belonging when I was there. I also did a lot of stuff around the house. Come to think of it--the majority of my self confidence came from my mom praising me so much.
I'm so sorry. My son is still young. It already hurts when he's left out of a 'clique' of kids or when no one wants to play with him. It almost makes me want to cry. I can only imagine what this must be like. You're doing the right thing. Hang in there! Best of Luck!
2007-09-20 16:46:14 · answer #2 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to focus more on the fact that she did stand up for the election. praise her for that. you can encourage her to stand up again next year. work out a plan for the things she could do to win next year. this will take away the focus from present and let her see what she could do in the future.
Also you could tell her the stories where people did not win or get something the first time. but since they kept trying, they tasted success. its very important that she doesn't learn to give up if she fails. tell her by example that persistence is the key.
When i was a child i was often told the story of Napoleon. When he got defeated, he was about to give up. then he saw a spider trying to climb up a wall. every time the spider fell down, it tried again. in the end she did reach up. you can even show her ants or spiders trying again and again till they a able to do what they r trying to do.
I think changing the focus of the situation would help. try and reward her for what she did. i think it was a great effort if she is a shy girl.
2007-09-20 16:08:36 · answer #3 · answered by sugar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How wonderful that your 7 yr old was strong enough to run for a class office. A niece had a similiar expreience and it was very hard for her. I would suggest that you point out that not getting a vote from someone does not mean they don't like you. Perhaps they felt the other person was better suited to the job of president. Her friends and classmates may have felt shw was better suited to another position.
I truly admire a child that will leave a comfort zone and venture out into the unknown. Good for her!
2007-09-20 14:54:01 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer M 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that you think she would have made a very good president and that if you could have voted, you would have picked her because of all the great qualities she has, then name a few. Tell her that even though it isn't fun to lose an election, it happens to people all the time and that this experiance has shown you and others how brave she is to have lost gracefully.
2007-09-20 14:56:08 · answer #5 · answered by Mama Mia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her that they don't know the real her. Tell her that in order for them to see her for the beautiful girl she is, she needs to put herself out there more. Maybe you could help her by going to PTA meeting and ask her to introduce you to her classmates. Then when she introduces you ask the girls what they do at recess etc. I went through this when I was younger and I started being a lot more outgoing. I did get on student council a few years later.
2007-09-20 14:54:28 · answer #6 · answered by Shelbi =) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You spend every day in college working annoying and focusing on the destiny, and you instruct the international incorrect via succeeding at each and every thing and starting to be wealthy so which you will snort of their faces :) Bullying sucks, I understand, and it could get no longer basic, yet merely understand that it will end. They %. on you because of the fact they have greater flaws than you. Bullying is one in all them (truthfully they're jealous and you're mind-blowing) yet it ought to no longer be glaring. I guess you're no longer a failure. Your mum's in all probability having a foul day :/ x
2016-11-06 00:12:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know this is corny. but she needs to let it sink in. then you need to make sure she is okay. tell her to ruin for president next year. but tell her the down falls of the job! like you have to do this and that is not fun. but you have to remind her that life is about winning and losing and she can not ways win. and that she still has friends but someone else won so she needs to chake there hand and tell them that she is happy for them. make her be a fair sport. remind her she has so many other great talents. and if that does not work ice cream always does! ;)
2007-09-20 15:05:43 · answer #8 · answered by butterflygirl249 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your poor baby, that is so sad. First of all... Good for her for running at all! Maybe if you focus on that- how proud you are of her for running and how she was very brave- that kind of stuff. You could even have a little "party" to celebrate her running- get her a toy she has wanted as a surprise and make her favorite dinner.
My heart breaks for her!
Good luck
2007-09-20 14:52:50 · answer #9 · answered by Shannon C 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Teach her that we can't always win at life. Tell her even in Presidental debates, there is a winner and a loser. I won't sugar coat it too much b/c all children must learn disappointment.
2007-09-20 14:51:51 · answer #10 · answered by Miss Answers 2007 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋