DD is almost 5 and has been going to gymnastics since November. She requested a gymnastics class after trying ballet and she didn't like it.
At first she was nervous to go in but still went and had a great time! There is a TV screen in the waiting room that you can watch the class on and she really looks like she's enjoying.
Last few weeks she's started crying before going in, telling me she's nervous and gets so worked up that we end up just leaving. Unless my DM takes her, then she goes straight in. Last week she cried and cuddled up into me, I asked what's wrong and why she feels like this now and she just said she's nervous and wants to go next week. During this week I've asked her if she wants to go and she said yes. I told her I don't mind if you don't, but it's better to tell me now instead of driving all the way there to come all the way back, she insisted she wants to go. We get ready, we drive there and she's happy, happy when we get there but as soon as the door opens to go into the gym, she starts crying. I took her to the side and said she doesn't have to go in but if this is how it's going to be everytime, we won't come back. She said she wants to go in, but she's nervous. I said well it's normal to be nervous sometimes but let's try to stop crying and go inside and see how it goes, I'll be right here in this room if you need. She goes to walk in but then gets so worked up she runs back so we leave. I've tried staying in the gym, but that makes her worse. I've tried talking about it but all she says is shes just nervous.
Nursery she is a bit the same just not as bad. Every morning she cries or almost cries when I drop her off, but again if DM drops her off the battle isn't half as bad. Teachers tell me she stops crying instantly as soon as I'm gone.
Am I doing something wrong? Because it seems fine if my mum is talking her? I want to help her but I don't know how, if I take her to a soft play then she'll run straight in and play no issues, so what's the difference? I don't want her to feel like she can't do something because she's nervous, but I don't know how I help her get past this?
Do I just leave classes for now and try again if she asks? I've told her we're not going again which she got upset about but said ok.
It's draining tbh, especially in the mornings before nursery. I hate taking her because I know it's going to be a struggle, but this only started when she returned from summer holidays in August last year. I thought it was due to being in a different nursery temporarily as the other one was undergoing some work, but they're back there now and the problem is still the same.
I thought a weekend class may help, especially as she asked about them, but it seems not.