Highly Sprung

For a while I've been keen for Tilly to have something, a club that really pushes her and helps her gain confidence and self esteem. She is such a good and lovely girl with plenty of talent, character and humour but she really lacks the skills to shine. She is still petrified of school assemblies and achieving star of the week etc. Just in case she needs to stand up in front of the whole school.

I think she needs something that will bring her out of her shell and give her confidence. There is so much choice out there, trampolining, gymnastics, karate, dance, ballet, swimming etc. I contacted Highly Sprung about their classes and they gave Tilly the chance for a free taster session. I asked Tilly if she wanted to go and she seemed interested.

I took her this morning. They were so amazing when we arrived, interested and engaged in her. We took a seat as the group arrived, I felt her anxiety rise. She started to get teary, as I led her to the corridor so others didn't see her cry, the workshop leader saw her and took her off to see a room. We made a break for it while she was distracted.

I hate seeing Tilly like that, I'm being cruel to be kind but it hurts me too. As I went to the car, I ended up crying too. No wonder she is like she is, I'm an emotional wreck too.

I couldn't rest easily at home. I was checking my phone to see if there were missed calls but also to check the time.

Unsurprisingly Tilly liked it.

As this was only a taster session there was no pressure for her to attend any more sessions. I gave Tilly the option but she wanted to go back. The more the day has gone on the more she has talked about Highly Sprung and how much fun it was.

I am so pleased. She already seems different, I only hope that it does improve her confidence in groups and with strangers.