Oh my what a day! Busy, busy around the homefront. Then we sat at a COLD soccer field. It was late practice so they finished at the children's BEDTIME. But it is only for a few weeks and the FlowerChild enjoys it so much. I can't complain when I see that big smile. She never complains or grumbles. It makes her so happy to play.
I have to wonder about some parents. Now forgive me if you happen to be this way. I promise I do not mean this to be insulting. I just honestly do not understand. When The GuitarMan was coming up he started playing sports at 5 years old because he wanted to. Then he participated only if it was something he was interested in. As far as I remember that is how it was with all the other children. He played baseball, basketball, and golf and dabbled in some church league soccer just for fun.
But it seems different these days. I have heard so many parents say the same thing since The FlowerChild started playing. I will say something about how she has always wanted to play soccer and just loves it. Invariably they say, " I wish mine was that way. I can't get them to want to do anything. They're just lazy....." and on and on it goes. One acquaintance even went all into how she always played sports growing up and proceeded to complain about her children's lack of interest in it.
I have seen quite a few fathers force their sons to play football with the false notion that it will toughen them up. The only thing it toughens is their relationship.
Whatever happened to nurturing your children as individuals and finding their talents and interests? Why is it absolutely necessary to get them out of the house in order to make them productive? If we follow that line of thinking if you have a child who is a bookworm and loves to curl up with a book....does that equal laziness? What if they would rather garden, cook, draw or scrapbook? Are those hobbies that simply do not count?
Maybe it's just that some people don't know their children as well as they thought. Sometimes it is easier to stick them in front of a video game than to dig a little deeper to find out what interests they have outside of sports. On the other hand, I have seen boys who really weren't into playing sports but enjoyed hunting, fishing and working outside. But to find that out they needed someone who would take the time to show them how to do those things. Forcing them to participate in a sport they do not enjoy is not the answer.
I guess one thing that really bothers me is how many parents just do not mind putting their children down right and left over something as superficial as sports. Right now, I have one child who excels in several sports. He plays basketball in an intramural league at his college and scored 26 points tonight! He averages 74 at golf. When it comes to playing shortstop nothing gets by him and I mean nothing. The next child is only interested in soccer, no other sports, and can run like the wind! The next has absolutely no interest in sports but has expressed some interest in dance or horses. As for the baby, well, when football or basketball comes on TV he goes bonkers so we'll find out soon enough.
My point is they are all different and as long as they are enjoying themselves I don't care if they play or not. It has no bearing on who they are. I don't say, "My daughter, the soccer player. My son, the ball player." No, they are all my precious, wonderful, creative gifts! They are like a rainbow. Each of them brings different colors to our life and I can't imagine our family without them. Sports? Who cares? Support them, by all means, because it is important to them. But that's just it. Find what is important to your child. Then encourage and support them in it because you love them. Don't base their worth on an athletic field.
I have to wonder about some parents. Now forgive me if you happen to be this way. I promise I do not mean this to be insulting. I just honestly do not understand. When The GuitarMan was coming up he started playing sports at 5 years old because he wanted to. Then he participated only if it was something he was interested in. As far as I remember that is how it was with all the other children. He played baseball, basketball, and golf and dabbled in some church league soccer just for fun.
But it seems different these days. I have heard so many parents say the same thing since The FlowerChild started playing. I will say something about how she has always wanted to play soccer and just loves it. Invariably they say, " I wish mine was that way. I can't get them to want to do anything. They're just lazy....." and on and on it goes. One acquaintance even went all into how she always played sports growing up and proceeded to complain about her children's lack of interest in it.
I have seen quite a few fathers force their sons to play football with the false notion that it will toughen them up. The only thing it toughens is their relationship.
Whatever happened to nurturing your children as individuals and finding their talents and interests? Why is it absolutely necessary to get them out of the house in order to make them productive? If we follow that line of thinking if you have a child who is a bookworm and loves to curl up with a book....does that equal laziness? What if they would rather garden, cook, draw or scrapbook? Are those hobbies that simply do not count?
Maybe it's just that some people don't know their children as well as they thought. Sometimes it is easier to stick them in front of a video game than to dig a little deeper to find out what interests they have outside of sports. On the other hand, I have seen boys who really weren't into playing sports but enjoyed hunting, fishing and working outside. But to find that out they needed someone who would take the time to show them how to do those things. Forcing them to participate in a sport they do not enjoy is not the answer.
I guess one thing that really bothers me is how many parents just do not mind putting their children down right and left over something as superficial as sports. Right now, I have one child who excels in several sports. He plays basketball in an intramural league at his college and scored 26 points tonight! He averages 74 at golf. When it comes to playing shortstop nothing gets by him and I mean nothing. The next child is only interested in soccer, no other sports, and can run like the wind! The next has absolutely no interest in sports but has expressed some interest in dance or horses. As for the baby, well, when football or basketball comes on TV he goes bonkers so we'll find out soon enough.
My point is they are all different and as long as they are enjoying themselves I don't care if they play or not. It has no bearing on who they are. I don't say, "My daughter, the soccer player. My son, the ball player." No, they are all my precious, wonderful, creative gifts! They are like a rainbow. Each of them brings different colors to our life and I can't imagine our family without them. Sports? Who cares? Support them, by all means, because it is important to them. But that's just it. Find what is important to your child. Then encourage and support them in it because you love them. Don't base their worth on an athletic field.
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