There goes one sport

#2 has just quit swimming, after *only* four years at it.

Hubby and I tried a mix of cajoling, incredulous expressions, reminders that her two good friends are still at it, even blatant sibling comparisons (jie jie only stopped when she reached Pumpkin!), but to no avail.

At one point, #2 turned to me and said, "You can't tell me what to do!"

On another day, she declared that she is now enjoying piano much more than before.

I was so relieved and thankful, because she had been on the brink with that and martial arts.

Did I mention she's only 8. Sheesh.

In all this, I'm trying to separate my emotions, judgments and values from what my child wants. But it's very hard to not judge oneself. I am both the character playing a part on stage and the critic watching the movie, if you know what I mean.