Pressure

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DD (10) is feeling panicky about:

• Training for X-country run. She did well last year (without training) and badly wants to do better this time, events are in early & late march, I think
• Violin grading exam in mid Feb, and making sure she practises
• Homework, getting it done each week

It's not a lot, is it? And I am satisfied that she's reasonably on target in all areas. But she's feeling the pressure, and high expectations from teachers/herself/peers, etc. I'm having a mental block about what best to say or do, to encourage & support. Suggestions?

On a practical level try to make 'molehills out of mountains'. Help her break down the bigger events into smaller, less daunting chunks and find room for them in her schedule, together with time to play. On the emotional side of things it's no use telling someone who is competitive that 'it's the taking part that counts' or 'you can always try again next year'. Tell her that you admire the effort she's putting in and you're proud that she's taking everything so seriously. Then ask how she's feeling and take your cue from there. Good luck

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