It started about a month before our trip to California.
“Mommy – I don’t want to go skiing.”
I stopped what I was doing for a split second. I tried not to whip my head around and begin my campaign to convince him otherwise. Or at least not to yell, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN???!?”
Instead, I looked back down at my computer and said, “OK. Well, you don’t have to decide now. We can talk about it later.”
I knew that it wouldn’t serve me to push him – that would only cause him to retreat further into his corner and dig his heels firmly into a position of NO.
Everett overheard our conversation and immediately mimicked his brother. “Mommy, I’m not going skiing either.”
After last year’s successful first experience with skiing, I wasn’t prepared for this. I wasn’t prepared to coax and persuade Jasper to ski this year. I thought that he would just do it, especially since he would be taking ski lessons together with his cousins.
Everett at ski school.
Actually, I was more concerned about Everett. Even though he seemed to love skiing last year, this would be first year he took real ski lessons. Since he’s one of the youngest amongst the cousins, he would be by himself and I wasn’t sure how that would go over. Even more so than Jasper, he is stubborn and refuses to budge once he’s made up his mind.
The next week, Jasper came to me and said, “Mommy, I only want to ski one day. How long are the lessons? I hope that they aren’t more than an hour.”
“OK,” I said but made no mention of the fact that ski lessons started at 10am and ended at 3:20pm.
By the time we left, he conceded that he would ski two days.
Last Monday, we dropped them both off at ski school. Jasper was excited but when it was time to follow the ski instructor through the door clearly marked, “Kids Only,” he clutched on to Ed. His lip started quivering and tears started pooling in his eyes and I thought he wasn’t going to do it but he followed her. When it was Everett’s turn, he took the instructor’s hand and followed her through another door with barely a look back.
Jasper blazing a trail down the slopes.
In the end, Jasper skied three full days. At the end of his lessons, I met him and skied with him for another hour. He did really well – getting on and off the chair lift, turning, stopping and skiing with control (mostly). And fearless which is so unlike his normal cautious demeanor.
He was unstoppable. He wanted to keep going up the chair lift and race down the mountain. He didn’t want to stop and wait for his cousins to catch up. He just wanted to go again and again. I was so proud of him and giddy that he was starting to love skiing.
On the last day, instead of taking the gondola back down to the Village, we decided to ski all the way down. When he reached the bottom, he said, “Mommy? I just love skiing. Maybe we can ski on the East Coast too so I don’t have to wait a whole year to ski again.”
“Of course we can Jasper. But can you remember this? That you said you love skiing so we don’t have to go through all the whining and complaining again next year?”
He laughed. “Yes Mommy.”
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I was wondering how ski school went this year. I’m glad the boys loved it! It gives me hope that my two will get there. We haven’t tried yet this winter. I’m not sure we will…I’m afraid of the tears and tantrums!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Marathon Monday Week 1
I basically accepted the fact that there would likely be tears and tantrums. Set the bar low, right??
We have been talking about getting involved in a winter sport to help long the winter. I used to ski when I was younger but not my hubby…perhaps we need to get the girls going!
Fancy Nancy recently posted..Monday Motivation
such a cute story! i wish i had learned to ski when i was a kid. he’ll be so grateful for it when he’s older!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes 25
i think i should have been in ski school with both of them. I am on the one saying mommy i don’t want to ski.
lindsay recently posted..Moves, Meals, and Musts Monday
Ok–two cuter kids never took to skis! So adorable. I’m so glad it worked out. What a great way to spend a few days together. I’m sure you are off to a tradition that will last a lifetime with them. That is the best!
misszippy recently posted..Hardest week (ever?): done!
I hope that they continue to enjoy it. I love being able to share something like this with them. And seriously, I think half the reason I do is to see them all bundled up! The helmets nicely accentuate their cheeks
They are too cute!! I’m glad it all worked out and they enjoyed themselves.
Natalie recently posted..A much better run.
Your kids are so cute. I think that it’s great that you’re sharing your love of skiing with them, but that you’re smart enough not to push them. They really will end up loving it.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
ahhh the whining and complaining.
I NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE THAT WITH REGARDS TO OUR MOVE_—would I?
Miz recently posted..Living not blogging: Presidents Day edition.
Of course not
I definitely took many lessons as a child! I really enjoyed it.
That being said, I haven’t skied in ages!
Kierston recently posted..Simply GrateFUl.
Too cute. My niece and nephew have both done something similar with getting out on the tube behind the boat. One year they couldn’t get enough then the next it was like it was brand new and there was no way they were going to get out there.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Accidental 14 Mile Run
I remember when I was little, I used to “forget” how to swim each summer and my Dad would have to teach me all over again. I should have videotaped him saying that he loved skiing so I could show it to him next year!!
That’s awesome! One of my earliest memories is being in the ski school at Brekenridge. I fell in love and after that my parents would sit that the restaurant while I went up and down the kids slopes by myself. East coast skiing is a good experience too – if you can ice ski, you can ski anywhere!
haha. I always joke that since I grew up skiing on ice in Vermont, I can ski anywhere. I skied with him the last day and he didn’t want to take a break and I was thinking if I could send him up with someone on the lift so I could rest!
What a great story! He is so darling! I will remember Jasper the next time I’m scared about something, my inspiration, my muse for overcoming fear, if he can do go through the gigantic scary door marked “Kids only” then I can go through my door of doubt!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..#KleanAthlete Review: Protein Peanut Butter Cups and Protein Sunbutter Cookies
I can’t even IMAGINE walking through that door when I was his age!! He does surprise and amaze me sometimes, quivering lip and all – he did it.
Oh, so sweet. I can hear my daughter saying those same words… we may attempt it next year, but neither of us are big skiers so it’s not high on our list. I’m so glad they enjoyed it once they got out there! And you’re such a good mama to catch yourself before convincing/pushing/negotiating.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..The Pursuit of Superwoman
It’s so hard to catch myself before setting into convincing/pushing/negotiating mode!! It’s hard to step back sometimes when it’s something that you really really really want your kids to do/try. I was really happy that they had fun – Jasper definitely more than Everett. Hoping that E enjoys it more next year
Adorable! They look all cute bundled up!
That’s awesome that you let it be and then they ended up loving it.
I’m a Texas gal, and have never been skiing in my life! Maybe I’ll be in a class with all the kiddos one day, or they’ll be the ones to teach me! Ha!
Looks like you all had a blast
E recently posted..best. cruise. ever.
I loved seeing them bundled up too! They were so cute.
I’m so glad they gave it a try! Hopefully you’re teaching them to step out of their comfort zone every now and then.
Question..How old are they? Just wandered at what age I could start thinking about taking E with us when we go.
Katie @momslrb recently posted..Pinterest Worthy Project
Everett is 3.5 and Jasper is almost 6. Jasper had his first lessons last year when he was almost 5 and he picked it up pretty quickly. He’s much better this year. Everett is getting it but it’s a little harder for him to control his skis. Also depends on the kid – some instructors said parents put their kids on skis as soon as they could walk
Wow! So glad this story had such a happy ending!
The pictures are adorable and I do hope your kids have a lifelong love for skiing… looks like a great beginner slope to me.
I’m glad this story ended well too!! I do hope that they have a lifelong love for skiing.
I love your laid-back approach to the kids comments. I probably would have launched into the persuasion techniques and pushed them further away from the experience. Happy to hear it turned out so well!
AmyC recently posted..TrainingTruths: NYC Half Week 6
Believe me, 99 out of 100 times, I launch into negotiation mode. I managed to get it right this time
I love that Jasper was able to overcome his apprehension and enjoy the ski time anyway. That’s huge!
ilene recently posted..Me and JT
Totally huge for him. I feel like the resistance thing has become part of his schtick and I want him to not fear new things (or things he perceives he’s not good at) so much.
That’s so cute! sounds like he was mostly just worried about leaving you guys!
jan recently posted..Swimming Picture Fail
Oh how sweet and funny kids are! So glad he loves it!!!
Jess recently posted..Detox Decisions
Ha i’m probably a lot like him, at first not wanting to spend a ton of time on something that scares me and then finding it’s actually pretty cool and i can do more
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Understanding Body Composition
I swear, I couldn’t wipe the goofy grin and smile off his face. I skied with him the last day and he didn’t want to take a break, just wanted to keep going up and down the mountain.
This post cracks me up, because one of my biggest fears when I contemplate having kids is that they won’t want to snowboard. My husband and I joke, “What if they’re SKIERS???” Like you, we want to encourage, but not force our kids into the sport that we love! I’m glad the boys ended up doing well!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..Thrifty Arm Warmers
haha. And my thoughts were, “He better not want to snowboard!!” I have to say it’s really hard sometimes to hold back and not force them to do something even when I know that they would love it. I’m so happy that the boys loved being on the mountain. Phew!
That is too sweet! It’s funny how kids make up their mind to like or not like something before hand! I am proud of Jasper for giving it a go! That’s great.
And by the way, I saw you’re signed up for Blend! Can’t wait to see ya there!
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution recently posted..Spousal Envy: Why My Husband Loses Weight Faster
Me too – I was very proud of him and seriously, he didn’t want to leave! I saw that you were going to Blend too! Can’t wait to see you!
Awwww so sweet and I’m so glad he ended up loving it! I love skiing but haven’t gone since I injured my knee.
I’m so glad your little guys did so well and enjoyed themselves! Its a great feeling when your kids can love the same things you do.
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Five Things Friday
Seems like they had fun on skiing activity even if they have second thought about trying. They look cute on the photo. I guess you feel so glad that your kids liked one the things you like. Cheers!