On the 31st of January, Bayleigh got left behind when her group moved to a different area. It scared her to death to be left. She cried and cried because there was so much going on in the gym and she couldn't find her group. Every since that time, today makes the 3rd class since then, she has been scared and cried. She won't even go downstairs into the gym on her own without crying because she is so fearful. We told her last time if she cried again we are done because she is fine. Just look around and find your group.
Well, today again, she cried and wouldn't go downstairs and we said, ok, we're done then, lets just go home. NO! She insisted she wouldn't be scared and dried it up. So she goes down to her group that has literally tripled in size and does fine during stretches. As soon as the stretches were done the group mob rushes the instructor and Bayleigh freaks out! She completely shut down. Started bawling and was overcome by fear and anxiety again! So Larry said, lets go--we're done. So I go down to the gym and pull her out and we leave.
She was bawling because as scared as she was, she loves gymnastics just as much. She promised she wasn't scared but her tears proved no matter how brave she said she would be, she just couldn't be.
I seriously am sickened by this decision but know no other choice. I can't pay for a class that she's scared of and cries at just because she does love it. It's not fair to her to cry the whole time. It's not fair to the other kids to have to deal with it. And it's not fair to the instructors.
The part that really angers me is that yes, Bayleigh needs to buck up and stop being so afraid, especially since we've been there over a year maybe even 2 now, I can't remember, and she needs to just stop and look around and stay calm, but what makes me angry is that had her instructor that day had a better grip on her group, one of her students, being Bayleigh, wouldn't have gotten separated from the group and she wouldn't be so scared in the first place! So I'm not blaming Bayleigh 100% in this.
The whole thing has me second guessing my parenting now too! Is she too sheltered? Should we have quit when she does love it? Will she hate me for making her quit? If she wasn't so sheltered would she be a thug? (Not going to lie, typing that last one made me laugh, but it's an honest question). What am I doing right? What am I doing wrong? Will she function in society with her fears? Did I cause her fears? If I did, how?
Bayleigh, believe it or not, only wants to do what's right when she's out and about, such as at gymnastics. She lines up and follows directions and her feelings get hurt when others cut in line or act out. It hurts her feelings when others do that and are not considerate of her because she is considerate of them. She doesn't understand when it's chaotic and nobody puts a stop to the madness. I get that. I completely understand where she's coming from and now ultimately due to that madness, she had to quit what she loves. Breaks.My.Heart. It honestly does.
I emailed the owner, whom I have a great respect for so maybe a resolve will come out of it, or she might say, don't let the door hit ya on the way out--I don't know. I guess we shall see. If she responds, I'll keep you posted!
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