the mom with the crying child

Congratulations! 

You have a child that goes to dance or soccer or whatever activity! 

I have a child that is crying on the steps, clinging to my body, as if I am throwing her into a beehive.

I beg for her to show the new move she has been practicing to the teacher! 

I listen as the teachers assistant informs everyone that my daughter cries like this every week. 

I sit on the side, pleading with her to just go for a minute and reassure her that I won't leave.

I hear the comments from a mom, who probably just wants class to start, that their child loves to be here. 

I want to cry with my daughter but I don't, at least not until I am in the car. 

I even bribe her with a reward if she will stay. 

I glance over and see you, watching your little girl learn to leap and smiling back at you. 

I look at my daughter, who is sobbing at this point. 

I try to show her how much fun her friends are having in dance but she can't even look.

I feel her heart racing and see the fear in her eyes.

"What if I do it wrong?" "What if they laugh at me?" 

Those questions are probably just some of the many things going through her little mind, or the mind of a child with social phobia. 

How would I know that? Because my daughter is mini-me! 

I know the fear of not being good enough.

I know the hurt when people laugh but you weren't trying to be funny. 

I understand how she can be one kid at home and a completely different kid in public. 

 I also know the feeling of regret that comes with holding yourself back from everything.

And I understand how much I let myself miss out on. 

So, I'm going to keep dragging her into dance class. 

And listening to the whispers and watch the eye rolling. 

Because I know that she is great. 

And I can't wait for the day that you find out too!