Yesterday, I watched something that some mothers have admitted that they would not be able to endure. I watched my 3 year old slammed/pushed down on a mat fairly hard. I watched her eyes starting to fill with tears and the look of shock of what just happened to her.
If you've been reading my blog, you know that Sarah is in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She's been going against kids slightly older than her, but closer to her size. But usually still a little older than her and definitely taller and stronger. The matches haven't been set to be in favor. Javier didn't tell the older kid to go easy on her or anything. So this slam was very real to her and took her by surprise. I could see the slight hint that she wanted to give up. She wanted to cry. Part of me thinks her feelings were more hurt that she got pushed down so hard. Did part of me want to run to her and see if she was okay? Probably. But, I didn't give myself enough time to dwell on it. I moved to the edge of the mat where she could see me and coached her through it. She heard me and her dad tell her "Baby, you're okay, you got this. Keep going. You're okay. Push her off. You can do this." I watched those swelled up tears disappears as she sucked them back up, fought them, and got back up. And although it seemed to throw her off the rest of the match, I watched her try and fight as hard as she could to the girl that is almost a year older than her. She kept going. She persevered til their time was up.
The last 30 seconds or so, the other girl was on the ground but had her arms wrapped around Sarah's neck, who was on top of her. It wasn't enough for Sarah to get choked though, and I heard Sarah grunt and try to get out and didn't give up. She kept going. She didn't pass out. Then time was up. The instructor was very impressed with the performance of the two girls. I talked to Javier about it a little afterward and he said her muscle memory is developing more and he could tell by the way she moved.
I know she didn't win, but watching her try and power through it the way she did made me proud. She got a drink of water after with her dad, then I slowly walked back to her and hugged her and asked if she was okay. She said she was okay, but we sat together on the mat for a few minutes when another match was going. It was the first of many lessons she will have to learn of not to give up. And even though its hard and life slams you down, keep going. Because sometimes, you won't be able to run away. You need to face the challenge ahead of you.
And you know what's great? 10 minutes later after the match, everyone was having pizza outside of the Academy and just having a good time.
If you've been reading my blog, you know that Sarah is in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She's been going against kids slightly older than her, but closer to her size. But usually still a little older than her and definitely taller and stronger. The matches haven't been set to be in favor. Javier didn't tell the older kid to go easy on her or anything. So this slam was very real to her and took her by surprise. I could see the slight hint that she wanted to give up. She wanted to cry. Part of me thinks her feelings were more hurt that she got pushed down so hard. Did part of me want to run to her and see if she was okay? Probably. But, I didn't give myself enough time to dwell on it. I moved to the edge of the mat where she could see me and coached her through it. She heard me and her dad tell her "Baby, you're okay, you got this. Keep going. You're okay. Push her off. You can do this." I watched those swelled up tears disappears as she sucked them back up, fought them, and got back up. And although it seemed to throw her off the rest of the match, I watched her try and fight as hard as she could to the girl that is almost a year older than her. She kept going. She persevered til their time was up.
The last 30 seconds or so, the other girl was on the ground but had her arms wrapped around Sarah's neck, who was on top of her. It wasn't enough for Sarah to get choked though, and I heard Sarah grunt and try to get out and didn't give up. She kept going. She didn't pass out. Then time was up. The instructor was very impressed with the performance of the two girls. I talked to Javier about it a little afterward and he said her muscle memory is developing more and he could tell by the way she moved.
I know she didn't win, but watching her try and power through it the way she did made me proud. She got a drink of water after with her dad, then I slowly walked back to her and hugged her and asked if she was okay. She said she was okay, but we sat together on the mat for a few minutes when another match was going. It was the first of many lessons she will have to learn of not to give up. And even though its hard and life slams you down, keep going. Because sometimes, you won't be able to run away. You need to face the challenge ahead of you.
And you know what's great? 10 minutes later after the match, everyone was having pizza outside of the Academy and just having a good time.
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