Post by ceci on Mar 14, 2014 21:21:05 GMT
My DD (9) struggles with her confidence and self esteem. She knows she is in the lowest groups in school, that she doesn't have a 'best friend' because she finds friendships hard, and she's often so anxious she can't think of a thing to say to other children or adults.
Well today at horse riding I saw her smile to herself. She experienced that wonderful feeling of having achieved something great. She has been riding for nearly 3 years, always small ponies because she is quite small, and she's a 'safe' rider, never wanting to go to fast or jump too high like the other children. Well she rode a new pony today.
She looked so small perched on top of him. When it came time to canter, off she went. It's faster on a bigger pony, but she did great, and that's when I saw just the briefest of smiles. She knew she had done well. And then it came time to jump. Often she asks for the jump to be put down (and they're already quite low) because she's scared. I saw her hesitate when it was her turn but off she went and did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could have jumped up and down with joy. She said nothing when finished - even when I expressed how great she had been. Her teacher also told me today she was a great little rider, and I told dd that, but she said nothing. Then at bedtime I said 'you know what you did today was amazing - it's Ok to be happy and excited and pleased with yourself' and she gave her rabbit a hug and smiled and smiled.
AT LAST she is experiencing some sort of pleasure at achieving - I just wish she experienced it more often.
Well today at horse riding I saw her smile to herself. She experienced that wonderful feeling of having achieved something great. She has been riding for nearly 3 years, always small ponies because she is quite small, and she's a 'safe' rider, never wanting to go to fast or jump too high like the other children. Well she rode a new pony today.
She looked so small perched on top of him. When it came time to canter, off she went. It's faster on a bigger pony, but she did great, and that's when I saw just the briefest of smiles. She knew she had done well. And then it came time to jump. Often she asks for the jump to be put down (and they're already quite low) because she's scared. I saw her hesitate when it was her turn but off she went and did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could have jumped up and down with joy. She said nothing when finished - even when I expressed how great she had been. Her teacher also told me today she was a great little rider, and I told dd that, but she said nothing. Then at bedtime I said 'you know what you did today was amazing - it's Ok to be happy and excited and pleased with yourself' and she gave her rabbit a hug and smiled and smiled.
AT LAST she is experiencing some sort of pleasure at achieving - I just wish she experienced it more often.
