Starting soccer

I have to be honest, I was extremely nervous about signing Thomas up for soccer and did not think it would go well.   It pretty much encompasses everything he fears- lots of movement, jostling, coordinated drills, etc.  Are we crazy!?!?  He really had no interest, but my husband and I want him to atleast experience different sports before making up his mind that it wasn't for him.  Soccer is THE sport in our area.  Most of the children in his school are involved with soccer.  Not only do they start at 4 years old, they play year round, do soccer clinics and often join travel teams.  We felt that this was the last year that Thomas could join the recreational league before he got to age where it started getting competetive.  I was so on the fence about whether this was a good decision or not that I literally signed him up just a week ago.  I am very protective of him, but I am very much of the mindset that he needs to be pushed out of his comfort zone to really experience life and grow.

All week he was saying he didn't want to go, but we stayed positive, practiced kicking the ball around with him and listened to and acknowledged his fears.  We made it clear that as long as he tried, we would be proud.   He knew that if he tried, he would also be rewarded with getting to watch a Star Wars movie later in the week with dad.  (He loves Star Wars and is working his way through the movies)

He had his first practice tonight.  We did some OT calming exercises, skin brushing and deep massage beforehand.  We got there early so he could warm up.  He was very reluctant at first, but we used humor to get him kicking the ball.  Humor really works with him.  His coach is great too, which makes all the difference.  I was shocked when he was confident enough to join the team for some drills.  He had trouble with some, but tried a lot of them.  He was doing very well, until they were split into teams for a scrimage.  He froze and did not participate in this, but overall I was thrilled with what he was able to do.  Again really trying to focus on what he did do, rather than what he didn't. All the other parents were talking and relaxing and again we look like the overbearing parents, because we need to keep helping him get back on the field, but it was worth it.   The fact that he is out here amongst these kids trying soccer is nothing short of amazing to me.  He has come so far and is braver than he will ever know!