First Soccer Game

Today was Dylan's first day to have a chance to play on an AYSO soccer team. These pictures are of him playing with his ball before the game and during his team's practice time. He refused to join the team practice and refused to play in the game at all. I learned a lesson today that all of my children have been trying to teach me since they were small. I learned to listen to them, even when I think I know what is better for them, even if I think something could only benefit them. Dylan has been telling me that he does not want to play soccer since I first signed him up with his friends in the spring. He told me that he did not want to play in this game or any others. He said that he is uncomfortable going out on the field with the other kids and fighting for the ball. I thought he would just go out and end up loving it right away. All of my children are watchers. Both girls spent the first couple of weeks watching in Kindergarten before they established friendships. Now, they both have the greatest groups of friends, truly good kids, no queen bee activity, everyone is always included. Right now, Dylan, too, wants to watch. He wants to feel safe with the choices he makes. He wants to feel comfortable just like all of the rest of us. As adults, we are able to go outside of our comfort zone but why do we feel that we have to push our four year olds to go outside of theirs? They will grow up. They will be amazing, beautiful people. It will all happen too fast and our hearts will ache with the loss of our little innocent people. So for now, I am going to be a watcher. I am going to watch him draw intricate pictures of planets and spaceships. I am going to watch him create block homes for toy puppy dogs, create rockets with pattern blocks. I am going to watch him make his own choices and enjoy every minute of it.