So we had our first soccer practice...

...kinda. At least Ian did. We had some problems with Anna. The rules say no jewelry and I completely understand and agree! I don't want her earrings getting ripped out! But, forgetful me, I didn't remember to deal with taking her earrings out for the first time (she has had them for about a year and a half) until my mom asked about it the day of her practice. How could I forget?! I knew it would be an issue. We had been trying to talk her into changing her earring for almost a year and she always refused because she was afraid it would hurt.

So, there I am, home alone, trying to convince a 3 (almost 4) year old that it won't hurt to take out her earrings. Of course she cried and covered her ears. I told her that she wouldn't be allowed to play soccer unless we took them out. She cried more. I tried to hold her still and take them out, but she fought me and I was afraid I'd hurt her. After 3 hours of trying everything to convince her, she ended up sitting out of practice. <_< Stubborn thing. Honestly, I was furious with her. I know I shouldn't have been since she was genuinely afraid. But, I just kept thinking of all the money my mom spent on soccer and how it was being wasted.

That night when we got home, I had DH hold her still while I took them out. He had to wrap his legs around her body, use one arm to hold her hands down and use the other arm to hold her head still. She screamed and sobbed and I knew that if the cops showed up they would arrest us for child abuse! But, the second I pulled the first one out, she started laughing and said, "It didn't hurt!" (Well, duh. I've been promising you it wouldn't for over 6 hours now! :shok: ) By the way, we went through the very same routine the next night trying to get her to put a pair back in. :gah:

Anyway, Ian had a blast! He was running and sweating and got along great with the other kids. He even got a couple of goals! I was so proud of him. :wub: He did get upset when practice was over, though. But, now he is looking forward to next week!

 

She'll probably get used to it quickly. But just a thought, would the league allow her to put medical tape over the front and back of her earlobes so that the earrings are completely covered? I remember seeing girls in high school doing this for soccer. I hope it gets easier quickly. Glad Ian had a great time though!

 

I don't know. But, now that we did it once and she knows it doesn't hurt she is fine with it. It was just getting over that fear. I'm not sure I'd feel safe with just the medical tape, though. I've seen too many people with ruined earlobes from having earring ripped out!

 

Sorry, but I kind of had to laugh. I could just imagine going through the same thing with Amy. (And that two-person immobilization is what we had to do every time they got pinkeye last year and needed eye drops.) Anyway, presumably now that she knows it doesn't hurt, she'll be OK with doing it next time -- especially since Ian had so much fun.

 

It's amazing how stubborn children can be! Sorry she missed practice, but I am glad the future looks brighter. Glad Ian enjoyed practice and I hope that Anna enjoys the next one, too!!

 

:hug: for the trauma!! Glad Ian enjoyed soccer, though. And I totally understand about feeling like you did over the wasted $...but it'll be ok, she'll play this week and have fun!

 

Update: The second practice went great. Anna came to me and said, "You can take out my earrings now!" So, they both got to practice and had fun. Our first game is this Saturday and they are very excited.

 

:yahoo: GREAT news!!!

BTW, that's how we had to change my dd's earrings.

 

Woohoo for a good soccer practice! I have fond memories of watching my little brother play soccer when he was 3 and 4 (I'm 7 yrs older than me so I actually remember it!). It was too cute watching the little pack of kids around the ball running around the field