Overcoming Fear (paralysis)

Today, instead of our usualy weekly piano lessons, the kids had a group lesson with other students who study under Mrs. Koeman. The teacher had split everyone up according to age, which Franchesca was very uncomfortable with as she is unfamiliar with most of the other students. We talked to Mrs. Koeman and agreed that joining Adrianna's group would probably make her more comfortable and make the group lesson much more enjoyable.

This morning upon waking, Franchesca's tummy hurt and she felt sure that she could not participate or attend piano today. Luckily Nathan's group went first which gave us an extra hour to let tummy's settle down and talk through other difficult activities such as going to the dentist, getting blood drawn, getting shots, etc... Solomon out nowhere brought me a book to read and had picked out a story on a moose having lot of "what-if's (worries) and how when he spoke the truth into them, they disappeared!! What perfect timing. I knew Franchesca was hearing the story although she was trying to make herself feel as ill as possible on the couch. Soon she was sitting up looking at the pics and her tummy had started to feel better. When the story ended with Bruce Moose conquering his fears, I plunged into my "assuming the sale" technique, talking about what we should wear to the lesson, what to do with our hair, etc...

Although she couldn't eat anything before we left, Franchesca bravely gathered her music and we headed down the driveway 15 minutes early at her request. I've learned that knowing more details about a new place helps her a lot and she wanted to be the first one there to have time to assess the situation. I could tell by her face that she was really close to caving in to fear but with some distraction in the form of a crossword puzzle on George F. Handel and seeing 3 nice, new girls who smiled and giggled she began to relax. After introductions, the girls were asked to play a piece of their choosing for all to hear. Franchesca confidently approached the piano and successfully played Minuet in G to a round of applause. This was followed by a study on Handel's Messiaah and cookies. What better reward for acting as David and slinging the stones in Goliath's face?