What Lizzy was made to do...

So, last spring, Lizzy expressed interest in playing soccer. I was totally excited! Personally, I stink at sports but I've always wished I had some natural ability in that arena. It seems that when someone plays sports they are confident and popular and I liked the thought of Lizzy learning how to be part of a team. I have been hoping Lizzy would not inherit my lack of talent in the sporting world. It was apparent, however, after the first soccer game that Lizzy's interest in soccer was not what I had hoped. She has fun at practice but during the games, she would rather be eating a bowl full of sardines than playing on that field. This was very evident during the last game. Both teams were at one end of the field fighting over the ball, while Lizzy was in her own little world doing pirouettes at the other end of the field. I just hung my head while the other parents thought she was adorable (I did too and I kicked myself for not having the video camera that day).


I sat down to talk with her about this the other day and this is how our conversation went,
Me: "Lizzy, you only have 2 games left. I would like you to finish out the season and then we'll sign you up for dancing again."
Lizzy: "But mom, I hate soccer!"
Me: "Why do you hate it so much?"
Lizzy: "I get so tired! Those other kids were just made to play soccer. I was made to dance mommy!"
Me: "So you feel that you are not made to play soccer?" (how many times have I felt those exact feelings about any sport? a gazillion!)
Lizzy: (her little shoulders start to shake and big tears run down her face.) "I can NEVER get a goal. Those boys are just too fast and too mean and I never get to make a goal."
Me: (I had no idea she even cared about making a goal. This little revelation surprised me.) "So you don't like soccer because you haven't been able to make a goal?"
Lizzy: (still crying) "Yes. Oh mommy, my legs were made to dance, not run."
Me: All I could do was hug her and love her and let her know that no matter what she was made to do, she would always have my full support. I realized that maybe I had been the one most interested in her doing soccer and so I had probably tried to live my life through her? She is only 4 and I'm already doing that!! What next?

Soccer will end. Troy has been a fabulous coach for these 4-5 year-olds. It has been a ton of fun but I think we'll trade the soccer cleats back in for some ballet slippers. She has also been begging for a violin...? Maybe she'll be our artistic child.

Side note: After a church activity the other day, I couldn't find Lizzy anywhere in the building. I searched everywhere I thought she would be, but then finally I opened the chapel doors. Lizzy had turned on the lights, figured out how to turn on the microphone and was standing at the podium singing primary songs with all of her little heart. Yes, maybe it will be music and dancing for her.

Another side note: While Lizzy was begging to be off the field, Ben was begging to be on. I had to find a babysitter for him during the games or I had to put up with him kicking and screaming because he couldn't play soccer with the kids. I have a feeling I'll attend my share of sporting events in the future.