My Gym

The ladies just finished their third My Gym class. It was a last minute change in plans inspired by livings.ocial and the neighbor. Originally I had planned for them to start in ballet, however Em's desire for that waned and I couldn't see forcing her to try for her sister. They both whole-heartedly wanted to go to the gym. They had been to a few events there and it ranked fairly well with them. After the third class I can say that they are fully enjoying themselves and it is a low commitment for me. Win-win! It's cheap, monthly, and I can start and stop. There is also open gym play time which is great for rainy days, an added bonus you don't find with rec leagues!!

I am also excited the ladies are becoming familiar with group activities and listening to others. It makes me feel a bit more comfortable sending them off to kindergarten with them having had any preschool experience. I'm a little leery of this new found independence and confidence but it hasn't caused much if a ruckus, no one is hanging from ceiling fans yet.

It's also shown me the differences in their personalities. Bum, bum, bum...

I've known these things, but seeing it in a different setting really brought it to my attention. Emma is always eager to try, to jump up and give it her best. She is out going and wants to show off to anyone whose attention she can get. She calls out for praise and is quick to offer a "ta-da" when she completes something, but isn't overly prideful. She plays well with others and engages them. She's excited and a bit of a class clown, always full of the sillies. She's very independent, of both myself and her sister. Everything I've seen, noted, and expected.

Claire is, and always has been, more quiet and reserved. She calmly completes the tasks before her. At an almost inaudible level she will congratulate herself, head down, on her way back to the line- and usually only if prompted. She doesn't like the spotlight. She's pleasant, and will join in the sillies, only if everyone is engaged already. She enjoys her time, the teachers, and the other children, but she doesn't engage them and almost always shys away. Again, exactly what I expected. 

Only in this public setting has it been made clear to me; Claire is a push over. She doesn't possess the determination/courage/command to stand up for what she wants. She usually avoids the confrontation completely, leaving equipment the moment another child appears. However today she did stick around and HAM joined her in a boat. HAM told her to leave, she did so immediately going elsewhere to sulk. :(

So I've noticed throughout the rest of the day that she bows to nearly every request. She even handed over her lovey! 

I'm in fret mode, worried I haven't shown her how to stand up for herself. Torn between sticking to my work-this-out-yourselves mentality and wanting to step in at every opportunity to save her, I think I'm probably over thinking the whole thing. 

If nothing else, she enjoys her time at the gym and with her friends. She also doesn't seem to have much of a problem being pushed around, so long as she can find something else to occupy her. So maybe this is just my issue. 

Of course as I sit here frantically pecking at my phone, she and HAM are playing together ever-so-nicely with the train table. Sharing, working together, yadda, yadda, yadda... Sigh. 

More worry, for probably nothing.