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!
