Nerves

From the "Unofficial ATA Forum:" "I've been told that I stop breathing when my daughter competes. And also turn pale. I know that I clutch her lucky bear to my chest and rub its head like the buddha's belly for good luck and good karma while trying not to throw up, scream, or pass out. She's working hard out there in the ring - concentrating so hard on every movement. The focus comes out in a stony face and a fixed stare. I panic on the sidelines, worrying about everything that might go wrong. A slippery floor, a bigger girl, a momentary lapse in concentration that might get her hurt. I want her to be safe and have fun. I want her to be happy and reach all her goals. I want her dreams to come true. I want her to be well-adjusted and mature - gracious and sportsmanlike in victory or defeat. I want her to do her best and be happy with her personal performance, no matter what the scores, the type of trophy, or her rank. I want her to learn the importance of being a good example to all the other kids from our school that like to come watch her. Winning is a bonus if it happens, but it's not everything. I think she gets that. She's grown up a lot in the past 2 years of tournaments. She's not the same girl that she was when she started. There's a confidence and a grace now that she didn't have before, and she always makes me proud with her attitude. But, I still worry. I've been told the worrying never stops, whether she's 14 or 21 or 50. Did I do my best for her? Did I give her everything I could to help her through not just this tournament or this season but her life? Is she listening to the stuff I'm trying to teach her? I don't know if I'll ever know for sure. So, I worry. And I watch. And I breathe a sigh of relief when it's over, and she's fine, and she's done me proud again." Princess has been taken under the wing of the 19-year old female instructor at the dojang. She is a good instructor--excellent with the monkies, extremely capable, and a world champion. We entered both of them into the tournament next Friday, and since then Ms. C has taught Princess the first half of Songahm #2, which we had signed her up for as a Tiny Tiger. The difference now is that she's in Karate for Kids--and Ms. C is trying to motivate her to perform the form on her own with no help. I'm sure she could do it--and we aren't pressuring her to do it--but both SW and I are terrified about watching her do this on her own in front of judges. We've learned the whole form now, and even though I screw it up every time I'm considering competing only because I feel bad about entering Princess into it and expecting her to go it alone, and I'm not willing to do it myself. I guess we'll have to see.