About three weeks in, Megan decided that she didn't like soccer. If you have ever met her father, you may have had a tiny glimpse at the sheer obstinacy that is her birthright. According to Megan, she was hot, she was tired, the boys didn't pass the ball to her*, so she didn't like soccer. And there was nothing that could be said or done to dissuade her.
So we have trudged through the season with a sulking, recalcitrant Megan. It has been painful to watch her wander the field during practice, or worst during a game, refusing to participate. Bryan and I kept trying to reason with her or persuade her that she could or should like soccer, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
Thankfully a few weeks ago, I realized that we was taking the wrong approach. Megan and I had a conversation where I told her that I got it - she didn't like soccer. And since I understood that, she didn't need to keep proving how much she didn't like soccer by being a miserable mope at practice and games. I told her we were committed to finishing the season and I needed her to actually participate and to be a good teammate. And most importantly, even if she happened to have a good time at soccer I would still remember that she didn't actually like soccer and I wouldn't sign up for soccer again.
We have managed to hobble through the rest of the season on that promise. But it has been so hard. I was getting a mild case of the dreads ever Thursday that didn't abate until the game was over on Saturday. Megan is not the only one who is happy the end of the season is in sight.
That being said, I this experience has been a total failure. At the very least I learned what not to do for Riley. And I think we may try soccer for Megan again. This was a bad first experience, but I think under different circumstances she would be great and enjoy it. We will have to see.
*to be fair to the other kids on her team, they don't pass to anyone. We were all thankful for the rare occasions when everyone was headed toward the right goal.
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