Lessons Learned

Sarah Graves fell in love with jump rope in the spring and all summer she talked about being on the jump rope team. A few first graders get to be on the team but there are a lot of expectations.

When the packet came out about tryouts, we learned just how high the expectations are. She had to write a 1 page essay on what it means to be responsible, agree to the rules which included paying attention at every practice, and learn a jump rope routine to perform at tryouts. She was overwhelmed by it and immediately her interest faded. 

She did write the essay and turned in the application but she didn't want to practice for tryouts. Lovie and I suggested we work on the routine and practice but she wasn't too interested so we let it go.

The day of tryouts, I left work early to be sure she was there on time. Irritable and disinterested, she didn't want to get ready for tryouts. When we did get there, the other girls trying out had come prepared and clearly practiced. She went in a room with the judges and I waited outside. I knew she wasn't prepared but hoped she would do okay. She came out and seemed unfazed but she was rude and off track all evening. I reminded her of how when she works hard, she learns new things and does well - like with water skiing!

This letter came letting her know she didn't make the team. She didn't say much about it. I have mentioned to her several times how practice and hard work are the ways to do well. I hope this will be a life lesson for her that hard work is how you get things and without it, you might miss out. Even though I think this could be a valuable life lesson, it is hard to watch her not prepare and experience failure.