Wrestling Update I

Here's a wrestling update: HL did indeed go to the next wrestling practice... however... he did not participate in it. At all. He stayed right in front of me and occasionally mirrored the warm-ups. Oh, I was frustrated. It angers me when he doesn't try. But I told myself that the last practice was a little scary, he just needed some time. The following practice began much as the previous one. He had convinced himself to just do some warm-ups right by mom on the sidelines. Fine. At least he was doing something. It was when the kids were all in their great big circle doing stretches that it really got cute- with each stretch, HL inched just the tiniest bit closer to the circle. By the final one, he was- get this- actually a part of the practice! I was thrilled. For the wrestling portion of it, he tried, but it was apparent that the other kids have been wrestling longer. But, he stuck in there. And on the way to the car, he told me how excited he was for his first meet. Yes! The bug had gotten him! He liked wrestling! At the next practice, he jumped right in there for warm-ups and excitedly waved to me each time he jogged by. And during live wrestling (at the end, they get to wrestle as though at a meet), I could see that he was really putting some effort into it. Yes, he got pinned a lot, but he always jumped right up and immediately faced his partner for the next round. At this point, I was bursting. This is exactly what I had hoped for. It was pure joy for me to see. Then, it was time for the team photos to be taken. HL got a team singlet (thank you mom and dad!!!!) for his photos and was absolutely ECSTATIC! He eagerly stood in line for photos and posed like a true wrestler. ( I can not wait to see these photos!) He insisted on keeping his singlet on so he could show it off to daddy when he got home. And in the car, HL exclaimed "now I'm a complete wrestler!" Oh, he was in heaven. It was this last practice we attended that has left me absolutely frustrated and confused.... We arrived at the gym, struggled with his too-big (but free!) wrestling shoes for several minutes, only to have HL absolutely refuse to participate again- and I thought I was frustrated the first time he pulled this- HA! This, right here, is something that vexes me to the hilt. I just get so worked up when my son won't apply himself. Watching him, I believe it stems from a fear of failure or embarrassment. He will often wait and watch until he is confident he can perform well and then will hesitantly join in. If he is bested, he just gives up. When we got home, his dad told him how not participating was actually the worst thing he could have done. That when you find yourself in a situation where other people know more, or perform better than you, you have to try harder. Practice even MORE. Never give up! So, as the next practice looms closer, I wonder what will be the best strategy; should I just go with him and hope he joins in? Or do I drop him off so that he doesn't have the safety of mom? (check back soon for more on this subject)