Ynigo expressed some time ago that he wanted to learn how to play soccer so we decided to enroll him in a soccer club. We knew that this was a good idea as sports help children develop holistically (physically, mentally, emotionally and socially); especially for a home-schooled child who needs to spend time with other children on a regular basis. We then went to try out a soccer club for children called Athletico Diliman. Not knowing what to expect, we dressed Ynigo in his regular exercise clothes (jogging pants and simple shirt) and headed to where the club practiced on weekends.
However, when we arrived, Ynigo did not want to join. He seemed to have been surprised to see so many children and parents who he did not know. When the coach called him, he shook his head and remained between Jason and myself . When we asked him why, he just shook his head. I looked at him and saw that he looked like he was about to cry. I hardly see my little one like this as he is usually very confident, energetic and sure of himself. I looked to my left and saw another child who was refusing to join and his parents who were "forcing" him to join. They seemed to try everything to make their child join like pushing him towards the field, threatening him that they would leave and throwing his ball towards the center of the field for the child to retrieve. But nothing seemed to work.
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| Ynigo, like he was about to cry |
I know how the parents felt especially since I heard that they been trying to convince their son to join for weeks already. I too was starting to feel frustration with our own situation but God gently reminded me that forcing Ynigo will not be effective. So I held his hand and told him not to worry for we will be there watching him throughout practice. To assure him, I added that it is okay if he was not yet ready. He then said that he was not yet ready so we stood there, holding his hand. After just a few minutes we felt him loosen up. When I asked if he was ready he nodded and then I affirmed him by saying I knew he could do it. He then let go of my hand and started to walk. Good thing the coach was sensitive enough to approach Ynigo and held out his hand (which Ynigo immediately took). Together they walked towards the field and in a matter of minutes, I saw Ynigo transform back to his confident self and started to really enjoy...
All he needed was a little more time to adjust, a little encouragement.
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| Doing drills (his first try) with his coach holding his hand |
Ynigo enjoying himself and doing a great job
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