We are from a small town and were put together after a few summer all-star runs to get a better fall experience than our local fall leagues could provide for our 2nd year 8U player. That fall season wasn't a complete train wreck. The girls loved it and were competitive enough to move forward to the spring season, and had a FULL and successful tourney season, that because of COVID, extended on throughout the entire summer. I was an AC during this time and after some offensive struggles late in 8U, which I contributed to me being harder on her than I was everyone else, I decided it was best for both of us, for me to step away. I could see the struggles she was having and what was coming in 10U and admittingly her mom and I tried to steer her to step away as well. We laid everything out but left the decision up to her. She chose to stay, put in extra work with a hitting coach, work hard to get better, etc. 10-12 tourneys/40-50 games later, she never got a hit other than an occasional bunt, didn’t want to swing, and it was either walk or strikeout(its 10U, so it was ALOT of walks). After 2 surprise tourneys thrown onto our already full schedule, and a looming offseason program, we again had another discussion. This time we as parents made the decision to step away, and it was heartbreaking for her. I have read post after post eluding to it being their journey not yours, and if they love to play let them, and so on, but how do you let a 9 year old dictate what’s best for her and how it affects the rest of the family of 5. Just looking to see if anyone else was faced with a similar situation and how you handled it.