DD (7) wants to stop going to drama club

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

We're meant to be leaving for rehersal in 10 minutes and she's crying. Last week she said she felt sick and she didn't go. She says she's too nervous about the play (in 4 weeks time).

I'm fine about her not going back after this play if she doesn't want to but I do feel that she needs to continue and see this play through. But I feel bad that she's so worked up about it. She's only in the chorus/crowd so wouldn't be missed if she didn't go. Argggggh - what do I do?

dOES SHE OTHERWISE ENJOY IT? iF NOT, KNOCK IT ON THE HEAD. lIFE IS LONG, PLENTY OF TIME TO LEARN TO DO THINGS WE HATE

Don't push it , maybe its not her thing

Take her along tonight and have a word with the leader.

Any drama club leader worth their salt will be able to put her at her ease about the performance, and if she still insists she doesn't want to perform, they should give her some other role / job / task.

It would be good to show her that she needn't be anxious about this, and that you will help her sort it out.

Don't send her back next term if she's really not into it though.

Thanks, took her tonight and she did enjoy it once there. Says she's still very nervous about the actual performance. One of the other mums was chatting to her though about how her ds was nervous before his first show so I think she's feeling a bit better.

My DD used to HATE performing infront of others - used to hide at the back in school plays... And she is not a quiet shy retiring child!

Then she started gymnastics and they so competitions twice a year (with like, 100+ parents watching) - she refused to do the first one, but then she did the next one - VERY nervous before, but when I asked her how it was afterwards, she said she felt really nervous, but it was OK and she quite enjoyed it!

She has not looked back since then, and is happy to give most performance type things a go.

Try lots of positive encouragement, but no pressure - acknowledging they will feel nervous, but that they will feel so proud of themself when they've done it, etc. And leave it up to them to decide if they will actually do it nearer the time.