There is no intent at being pretentious here. This is quite important to me. DW and I want to help and not hinder the process of DD pursuing her future.
I am humbled by DD's skill and desire. She is 13, and she has big dreams. Huge dreams. I won't describe these for they are hers, but there are autographed cards and pictures of seven former Olympic softball players on the wall in our house (along with Stan Musial, for whom she chose her jersey number, and another MLB player who is her hitting coach).
I don't want to describe her skills. That isn't what this is about. Please accept that a couple of outstanding coaches and trusted coaches have said she has the potential. (I also believe that there are many, many more girls that have that potential who never reach for it, so I don't see DD as that unique in this regard.) She fully believes she can reach her dreams. So do I. We have also spoken about the fact that there are no guarantees, and that pursuing one's dreams is at least as important as reaching them.
If DD ever changes her mind and chooses a different path, so be it. It's her journey. She has a brother who opted out of baseball to go into theater. I quit crying after a month or so. He'll graduate in year with a degree in music performance, and I'm really proud of him. If DD ever quits this, I'll cry longer, because frankly, she's better than he was (but don't tell him I said that).
Every child is different and every parent is different. I'm not asking for "answers" or platitudes. What's being sought here is wisdom from a variety of experiences and perspectives, especially from those of you who have helped your kids travel such a journey.
How did you motivate without pushing? When did you decide to lay back and give space? Under what circumstances did you "lay down the law" and make her practice? Did you coach her, or step away from the field? And any other things you can think of.
I so appreciate your thoughtful responses.
I am humbled by DD's skill and desire. She is 13, and she has big dreams. Huge dreams. I won't describe these for they are hers, but there are autographed cards and pictures of seven former Olympic softball players on the wall in our house (along with Stan Musial, for whom she chose her jersey number, and another MLB player who is her hitting coach).
I don't want to describe her skills. That isn't what this is about. Please accept that a couple of outstanding coaches and trusted coaches have said she has the potential. (I also believe that there are many, many more girls that have that potential who never reach for it, so I don't see DD as that unique in this regard.) She fully believes she can reach her dreams. So do I. We have also spoken about the fact that there are no guarantees, and that pursuing one's dreams is at least as important as reaching them.
If DD ever changes her mind and chooses a different path, so be it. It's her journey. She has a brother who opted out of baseball to go into theater. I quit crying after a month or so. He'll graduate in year with a degree in music performance, and I'm really proud of him. If DD ever quits this, I'll cry longer, because frankly, she's better than he was (but don't tell him I said that).
Every child is different and every parent is different. I'm not asking for "answers" or platitudes. What's being sought here is wisdom from a variety of experiences and perspectives, especially from those of you who have helped your kids travel such a journey.
How did you motivate without pushing? When did you decide to lay back and give space? Under what circumstances did you "lay down the law" and make her practice? Did you coach her, or step away from the field? And any other things you can think of.
I so appreciate your thoughtful responses.