"You just wait."
That is a quote I heard from my mother when I was younger, then I started hearing it from everyone who had experience in something I would eventually be doing. Examples of this:
Getting my first car. "You just wait", you will have to pay insurance and your own gas blah, blah. Yeah they were right. I thought it was included!!!!! ( Sarcasm for those of you who always think I am serious)
Then I got a house. "You just wait" Yeah I am still waiting. For the next 5 years to go by when I am debt free.
Now I have a child. "You just wait" Well I know there will be surprises that no one will be able to predict. But my expectations of my child will be mine. If I show my child the proper path through my examples I can't wait to see how he turns out.Being a critic as a parent is easy. The two most important role models for your children are you and the mother or father of that child. Take a look at yourself and tell me if your child has traits that you do not really like. Where do they get it from?
This blog is not Dr Phils. But I want to use the previous examples of parenting to make people aware of why kids play sports. I have heard "You just wait" again regarding this topic. While I am "waiting" why don't you read this.
Kids play sports because:
1. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and active people tend to be healthier.
2. It teaches them skills they will need and may use in the future.
3. It teaches them how to handle situations which can create great character.
4. It socializes them.
5. It may give them a passion which they have for life and makes life very joyful and gives them something to look forward to which creates a great attitude on life as opposed to being in the dumps all the time because there is nothing to look forward to. Not all kids will consider playing a passion but it gives them a chance.
Notice I do not list that children play so their parents can live through their children or that parents can benefit socially. The playing for parents can be with their children or in adult activies in the community. A perfect example of playing is when I see fathers playing road hockey with their children and friends. Why can't organized sports for children have the same level of fun with the competition level increased. When kids are playing with kids it is up to the parents the coaches the teachers to be role models. If the parents say negative things towards the coaches and officials the parents will have a tougher time getting respect from their children. Screaming at the referees or complaining that the coach gives little Jimmy too much playing time is not teaching the children anything that they can use in the future to better their lives. Parents can give advice that the coach may not have time for. I have no beefs about that. As long as it is done in a positive way. The politics in sport will always be there. Adults are the blame not the children. Let the children play and compete. The parents should not be upset the children lost. They can be upset for the child but don't get involved in a negative way. Losing is a fact of life. Tootie lost to Blair. ( bad joke)
Every sport has it. I am aware of it. I am "waiting" for my turn to control my own competitive urges and use them to be a role model and teach my child what will benefit him in life as well as in sport. This is why I love golf for children. For the most part you are on your own. If you want to play for fun that is what you do without anybody worrying about how the neighbours kid plays AAA baseball and yours only plays house league and you feel like a failure because of it. ( this is generalizing but you all know somebody that feels this way). Sure if your child does well it makes you proud. Control your pride as well, as it can turn into something negative. If your child is enjoying a sport but doesn't have a gift don't take it personally they may be making you proud when they are 30 years old running a large firm. Or they may make you proud raising 3 great children. Sport is sport leave it at that and let the children get out of it what they will.
I wished I had golf when I was younger. For many reasons. Golf when played at a high level teaches the individual so many things that other sports don't. Golf is a sport that you can call penalties on yourself and accept failures were yours and so were the achievments. I love alot of sports but nothing gives back and teaches roles as golf does. An 8 year old can play golf with his best friend, his mother, father or grandmother all at the same time. At a high level or out for a pleasure round it is a game I hope my child enjoys. Other than bowling I can't think of too many sports that keep family , friends and fun at the top of the list. If bowling is what my child decides to like then the time we spend together will be great. You just wait.
