your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

My one daughter wants to dance this september, the younger one had a bad experience (it was a lame-o class) and now doesn't want to dance. i know she had a bad experience and it tainted her. i want her to go because i know she would love Tap.

would you convince her to do it, or just let it be?

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

Unless you can work out a deal with the place - a trial class or something - then let it be!

I have spent far too much of my life forcing one of my kids to "finish" a class or a team or a club. It makes you and them miserable.

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

I would see if there is a drop in free class she could attend. Do any of her friends go to the class? Would she want to go because of that?

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

I don't force my kids to sign up for anything except swim lessons. However, after they choose an activity I expect them to finish it. I would not make my dd continue dance.

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

I would figure out a way to get her to try it again. You know your daughter and you say you think she'll love tap so there has to be a way. I say talk to the dance studio and express your concern and see if she can do a trial. I know my older son - cries and doen't want to start any new activity and forget about it if he had a bad exxperience at one point in his life (even if he had 100 better experience with the same activity - he'll only focus on the negative)...but then I get him to try it and he loves it and cries when it is over. He is 6.5 and has been doing this same routine since he is little. He needs that push.

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

i worked very hard to convince DS to play tee-ball this past Spring. He is going thru a shy phase and I could tell how badly he wanted to play, but was having a hard time bringing himself to do it. I knew as soon as he went once and ran around with the boys he'd love it. I talked about it with him a lot and he tried it and LOVED it. And now wants to play again this year. For me it wasn't about tee-ball it was about him facing his fear so that he wouldn't miss out on something he wanted so badly.

I agree with the others about seeing if they will let her do a trial class. Hope it works out.

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

Let it be. My DD hated soccer. I had to force her on the field every week. I asked once this season if she wanted to do it...she said no and I'm not fighting. If you ask and she says no, then I'd take it as a no.

Re: your kid doesn't want to do an activity you want them to

If it's something that I KNOW she will love if she just tries it, I'll make her a deal that once she tries it, if she hates it, then she can stop. My daughter is SOOOOOOO predictable. Without fail, when I know she'll love something, she does. I never force her to do things that I know she won't like, though.