If you back down now you are teaching her a clear message that she can accept a lesser standard for herself for the rest of her life. Teach her to demand only the best of herself and also those who are supposedly role models and teachers. If your child just mixes in with the rest of the crowd, that is exactly what she will be...the rest of the crowd. Educate her above and beyond the average child and give her something special that she will appreciate as she learns and grows. Give her a sense of respect and wisdom that so many of todays youth lack by default because of the choices their parents made or didn't make. It is the small things or decisions that seperate the successful from the unsuccessful, the happy from the unhappy, the wealthy from the poor. And, according to the 'secret' would you want her being refered to as a brat, or would you have this incredible knowledge of 'the secret' being imbeded into her mind as a child and practiced now as opposed to later when she has already practiced bad habits?

I would not fight the point, I would just transfer her to another team that would be more suitable to your goals as a mother.

Andrea,

I am taking your advice about trying to change Ainsley's team.

I have called and emailed the soccer commissioner about putting her on a different team. The Gumdrops, team 3, Shortcakes, The Possibles - any other team name would be preferable.

I will let you know how it goes.

Rock on sister!

If you back down now you are teaching her a clear message that she can accept a lesser standard for herself for the rest of her life. Teach her to demand only the best of herself and also those who are supposedly role models and teachers. If your child just mixes in with the rest of the crowd, that is exactly what she will be...the rest of the crowd. Educate her above and beyond the average child and give her something special that she will appreciate as she learns and grows. Give her a sense of respect and wisdom that so many of todays youth lack by default because of the choices their parents made or didn't make. It is the small things or decisions that seperate the successful from the unsuccessful, the happy from the unhappy, the wealthy from the poor. And, according to the 'secret' would you want her being refered to as a brat, or would you have this incredible knowledge of 'the secret' being imbeded into her mind as a child and practiced now as opposed to later when she has already practiced bad habits?

I would not fight the point, I would just transfer her to another team that would be more suitable to your goals as a mother.

Andrea,

I am taking your advice about trying to change Ainsley's team.

I have called and emailed the soccer commissioner about putting her on a different team. The Gumdrops, team 3, Shortcakes, The Possibles - any other team name would be preferable.

I will let you know how it goes.

Rock on sister!