Hula Girl will not be attending ballet class for a while.
We baked cupcakes for her teacher and classmates yesterday and while we were decorating them, I had a chance to question her in a non-confrontational manner. She and I practiced what she’d say if she needed to leave the room to see me, and she told me she was ready to go in and sit with her friends and learn to dance from Miss S. She was really excited about it- she even wanted to watch some videos of young ballet dancers in class on Youtube.
She woke up this morning, and said, “Mommy! It’s dance day!” Then she broke out in this song that repeated itself over and over for about fifteen minutes: “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it! I’m about to go to dance and I know I’ll like it!” You guys. She was READY.
And then there was a mix-up and I had to bring Gelato. So we had to rush.
When we arrived, Hula Girl put on her own ballet slippers, put her own shoes away, and started toward the door. Then she stopped, looked back at me, and reached her hand out. I told her I would walk her in to her place, but she said, “I want to stop until after Christmas.”
Okay.
We waited until the owner of the studio arrived, paid for last week’s “lesson” and then left the cupcakes for the rest of the girls.
When we left, Hula Girl just sobbed in the car. I told her it was okay to feel sad and relieved. I told her I was sad, too, but that we’d go back when she was ready. She told me she wasn’t ready until after Christmas. I agreed.
I took the kids to the mall play area and then we went out for lunch. Hula Girl wanted to take her nap in her leotard. Guess she still likes a little bit of dance after all.
Here's a little more detail about my daily life. Not always really exciting, but never really that bland. I tend to find drama in the small stuff, so there's always something to talk about!
Wee Irish Family 
kate @ livinglovinglaughing said,
October 10, 2013 at 4:37 pm
awwwww this really broke my heart – sweet girl! sounds like she really loves the idea of it a little more than the reality. so glad you BOTH came to decide on a bit of a break. hugs x
WeeIrishFamily said,
October 10, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Thanks, Kate! It broke mine too. I had a hard time not crying in the car on the way to the mall, but I had to remind myself that I needed to see to keep us all alive! 🙂
Kristy said,
October 11, 2013 at 8:21 am
What good practice for her, though! To know she wasn’t ready, to say so, and to make a plan for when she will follow back up with it. (Not that she will be 100% guaranteed to participate starting right after Christmas, but it is a plan for when to approach the topic again.) And practice feeling her feelings, even when painful.
WeeIrishFamily said,
October 11, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Yes, I told her how very proud I was of her for making a tough decision. I told her it’s okay to make the decision she knows is the right one, even if it seems hard- it makes her more brave! She went to bed smiling last night for sure.
Kristy said,
October 12, 2013 at 10:24 am
Oh, that’s wonderful!
Kristy said,
October 11, 2013 at 8:22 am
I should also admit that this is easy for me to say! I would have been on the point of tears if it was my child, too.
Playdates, Playdates, Playdates Galore! | Wee Irish Family said,
October 26, 2013 at 2:54 pm
[…] the end of Hula Girl’s dancing career, I have been working overtime to try to get her engaged in […]