11/24/2020
Good read!!!!
Parents, one thing I see a lot of in 4H, Pony Club and private lessons is the pulling of kids from good programs whenever the going gets tough. I wish that parents, who only want what’s best for their children, weren’t quite so quick to interfere.
Your child has a poor lesson and comes home in tears… your child has to sweep the aisle while other kids fool around… your child is assigned the unpopular horse (again)… your child is struggling and nobody seems to care… your child has to ride without stirrups… your child’s lesson horse isn’t ready and she’s told to walk out and catch him….
Your child doesn’t win on the weekend and she has to smile while other kids boast… your child is spoken to sharply when she is just trying to lighten the mood… your child isn’t the star of the barn but her best friend is….
Yes, all these things hurt.
I can honestly say, this is life. Not everyone will love your kids and support them. There are no prizes for half-hearted efforts, no rewards for being lazy or rude. We tell our children to dream big but we forget to tell them that they will have to work hard, too.
Next time it’s feeling rough at the barn and your child wants to switch or quit, please don’t let the tail wag the dog! Have the courage and conviction to make your child see it through. Agree on a deadline in a few months or next year and if she still hates it, she can switch to another barn or the saxophone.
Meanwhile, you are fighting for your child’s character. I know, kids still need an environment promoting safety and fun, but perseverance and an ability to roll with the punches are skills worth fighting for!
These are such hard lessons, but they MUST be learned. Life skills need practicing, too.
