Took my Niece on first range trip!

[FieroCDSP]

Hiya, folks. I managed to con my sister into letting me take my 12yr old niece to the range with me today. My niece has an anxiety disorder of some kind. Whenever she gets nervous about something, she gets sick. Well, when I picked her up, she was sick. When we got to the range she was sick. That would soon change.
I went over the four rules and explained them in detail. Explained the basics of the bolt-action 22 I was starting her out on. Explained range safety and some of the basic courtesy. Then I loaded 1 round and readied it for her. I explained the sights and she took her first shot. She loved it!!! I knew she would. She ended up going through 90 rounds, and got pretty good at the sights. She was all over the paper most of the time, but she had a few really good shots when she calmed down and took her time. I had to help her with the magazine, and with the bolt at first. She eventually got the hang of the amount of force needed on the bolt.

She's excited about going again, and I had her keep the target to show her parents.

All in all, a good day.

 

[CountGlockula]

You're a good uncle. Great job!

 

[ranger58]

having fun

my 11 year old did'nt want to go with me at first neither, but soon after she also was having a great time, and me also. i'm glad it worked that way for you also. ranger58.

 

[Kali Endgame]

Proof that shooting cures all that ails you. Good for you, I'm still trying to convince my parents to let me take my little brother(8) and my sister(11) to the range. Not going very well.

 

[Trebor]

Great job!

On the next trip, try this trick. Hang a blank target and then put a small 1" circle "aiming point" on the target. Explain to her that she's not trying to *hit* that spot so much as just use it as a consistent point to aim. Tell her she's to aim at that exact same spot every time, not matter where the bullet holes appear, and what she's *really* trying to do is put all her shots next to each other, even if they aren't on the aiming spot. I bet you'll see her group sizes shrink once she gets the idea.

 

[NickHTK]

Nothing like giving the kid a little self confidence to help with the nerves!

 

[MrPeter]

Wonderful! Looking forward to the day when I get to take my own kids out to the range. Not that I have any, nor will any time soon..

I'm curious about that anxiety condition though. That sounds like it could be rather inconvenient. SAT's? Drivers test? Pulled over by an LEO? First kiss?

 

[Wedge]

Sounds like a great time!

 

[indie]

take me next

 

[FieroCDSP]

Sorry, Indie, but I'm not driving all the way there for anything other than the Revolution, if and when it comes. Suffice to say, when I saw her slapping her hand against the bolt to close it, I felt kinda proud. These kids are our future, and we need to do more to get them involved, or we'll be fightin the terrorists from our walkers.

I have no idea what her condition is called. Even as a baby, she'd fuss herself into being sick. I think she'll get over it eventually as she learns how to be independent. It was clear to me that if I could get her mind off of her nervousness, she'd settle right down and be okay. Talking to her on the way there helped. And once at the range, I got her into the safety lesson and she settled down to learn. It's odd, to say the least, but it can be managed.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Passing along the tradition is what its all about.. you have done a good thing.