So exasperated with ds1 - why does he have to be so like me?

[SorenLorensen]

Ds1 (9) loves football - he watches it, kicks a ball round the garden as soon as he gets in from school every night, plays at school, nags to go to the park and play, got the England shirt for his birthday and would sleep in it given half the chance.

(That's not how he's like me, btw - I hate football and haven't got a sporty bone in my body, hated PE at school).

Anyway, there's a 2 day Football School at his school during the Easter holidays - run by the local football team (who also come in and teach them football in school). I told him about it expecting him to be really enthusiastic.

He doesn't want to go...he's "not good enough" and he's worried because people from other schools will be going too. Bottom line is he's shy. Like I was. And I'm so frustrated with him because I was just the same - and the opportunities I missed because I was too shy and it was easier just to stay within my comfort zone.

I've tried talking to him (at length) about how much he'd enjoy it/what a shame it is to miss the opportunity because of being shy/fearing he's not good enough...but nothing I say is having any effect.

I can't change his personality, can I? I just want him to be braver than I was...and get over his shyness sooner than I did, but maybe it's something that can only come with age and experience.

Don't expect any miraculous suggestions, just wanted to get it off my chest.

Does the fact that it is on his turf and therefore more likely to have mostly people from his school not help at all, moo?
Ds was like this about our local authority tennis class despite being really keen and what clinched it in the end was a schoolfriend going along too.
He has also cheered up a lot about swimming since another Mner's son is at the pool at the same time :)
Another suggestion - if ds is already known to the coach, could you possibly have a discreet word and get the coach to say something like "you really should come along to this minimoo, you've got the basics and I think you'd really benefit..."

All good suggestions (is it Marina?) - though he doesn't have football this term (swimming instead) so I won't see the coach. I'll try and find out if any of his friends are going - that might help. I do think it's most likely to be kids he knws from school there - I will stress that in my 'second wave offensive'.

Oui, c'est moi. I went French and seem to have forgotten to change back with la foule.
Good luck with persuading him...I don't suppose they are planning to get any local stars along to pep up the proceedings? Ds has embarked in a probably futile campaign to become an Olympic athlete after he fell head over heels with Katharine Merry recently...

I doubt it - the local football team was on the verge of bankruptcy lately - I don't think it's ever had a famous player.

I don't know who Katherine Merry is - told you, not a sporty bone in my body

SL, Which kind of shy do you reckon he is: shy full stop or shy would do it if you booked it and took him down there?

Former hurdler. Does commentary and whatnot now. About the width of one of my thighs, the hussy. Very good with kids apparently