Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Garrison did so well in his first t-ball game.  He let Coach Terry Pitch to him and hit it, ran the bases, played the field (kind of...he more or less just stood there, but hey, he was out there).  The next game he actually went to catch a grounder, but it bounced up and hit him in the belly.  I would not have even noticed had it not been for Brian confirming this...needless to say, the bounce was not hard.  However, it devastated GL.  I think he was both shocked and embarrased. 

Melt.down.

He refused to hit the ball that night.  He did not go after anymore balls.  He was done.

The next few games were more of the same.  Refusal to bat.  Mere standing in the field with no attempt to go after a hit.  He said that he 'hated baseball.'

Brian and I don't care if he doesn't like it.  He does have to try.  He does have to be brave and courageous.  He does have to stop whining {which he is apparently the king of these days and sits on the royal, whining throne}.

This process was getting old and we knew that we had to come up with something to help persuade him.  He doesn't do well with just consequences.  His stubborness helps him not to care so much over losing something (ummmm, wonder where he gets that from?!).  My first instinct is to take things away.  But, thankfully I am married to Dad of the Year and he came up with a different strategy.  Garrison can decided on a reward for trying...i.e.  batting, going after the ball, running to base without whining.  If he doesn't try his best, then we get to decide on a consequence.  So, last week, he decided that he would love to have a bag of Cheetos as his reward.  Ok, that was easy!  I was thinking that he would say something outrageous like Disney World.  The consequence would be that we would remove the t.v. from his room. 

He played like a champ.  I think Coach was in shock at how he hit the ball.  Best part...seeing him smile while playing.  He was having fun, which is our ultimate goal.  So, we hit up the Dollar General on our way home for $1.25 bag of Cheetos.  He even shared with his brother.  They were in bliss. 

This week, a lollipop is up for grabs.