The Daily Life of Sweetpea[s]

Today Sam had gymnastics. I almost always stay and watch. I've tried to take a hand's off approach with his class, but I have always felt that I needed to hand a "Guide to Sam" to all his teachers, coaches, and therapists. Of course they need me to tell them about his language delay and how they will need to make sure that they really have his attention or he will miss what they are saying. He may look like he is in a different world, but he is listening. And by the way, he can get frustrated and become emotional. He may speak differently than his peers, but he is cognitively on par with them. (He really is smart!Please don't think him otherwise!) And whatever you do "Don't give him NUTS!!" (I'm also thinking, "please be patient,please show him kindness, please show him grace.....")

Today was no different than any other class. Sam tries to keep up and attempts everything asked. But he tires easily and doesn't catch all the details asked of him. So he may only do something halfway. When all the boys are there his half-interested coach half-attempts to help Sam. Today there were only 3 boys so his coach did work with him more. But I still sat in my chair watching Sam, clapping to myself when he managed to accomplish the activity and I cringed when he so obviously failed. I sat there wanting to run out to Sam and say, "like this buddy!" "put your arms higher" "follow me-I will show you" "look forward" "stop talking" Sam tires easily so by the end of the class he simply couldn't do what was asked because he simply stops processing the directions. He's too tired even to listen. I see his coach give-up in frustration as I have done a thousand times. The drive home is always in silence.

After class his coach walked up to another parent and asked her if her son could move up to SuperKids, the competitive group. This boy is Sam's age. I have to admit I wondered if I would ever hear someone ask me if Sam could move up to the 'advanced' group in anything. On the drive home I thought of all the sports Sam might excel in. He is really fast maybe he can be a sprinter like Andrew. He loves to climb. I finally pulled myself back to reality and reminded myself that sports are for enjoyment. I reminded myself that Sam is a sweet, sensitive child who loves his gymnastics class. He does not sense his present limitations.

Can any of you relate to what I experienced today?