Had a great day with Laney at the Zoo. It turned out to be beautiful and the animals were out.
Then got to watch Keegan and the rest of his team play a great game of baseball.
GO WHITE SOX!
I was born to be a baseball mom. I love the game. As you see on my sites I follow list, I am on Coach Kenny's baseball drill site. I get so excited when the daily drill email comes! Sad huh?! Keegan and I try to go out after school and play catch or try a drill, or make up our own. I love watching the kids succeed. I hate to watch them fail, but it makes it SO great when they do great! Or get a hit after a slump. It teaches such good lessons. Joe is one of the coaches and he and the other two coaches are so awesome at teaching the kids, and helping them improve, all the while letting them HAVE FUN! It is actually shocking to me, but that is not always the case, even in 8 year old baseball. I love a night at the park. Sitting in the stands with all our friends and these families we've grown to know over the past few seasons. Tonight we cheered on the other teams last hitter as she got her first hit of the night. Both sides of the stands were up on their feet, rooting her on as she ran to first. We all gave out an "Aww" when the ball was caught at first and she was out. Even our own team secretly hoping the ball may be dropped, so she could be safe! What a great lesson our kids were getting.
In today's world we have an "everyone gets a ribbon" mentality. Remember when Super Mario Bros. came out. You got 3 lives, unless you earned more, but even then, once they were gone they were gone. Now even on video games, they have never-ending lives, no consequences it seems. In a way I see where that started, we hate to see our kids defeated. And aren't they much happier if they are told they didn't lose? At the same time though, we are not doing them any favors. Leading them to believe that in life you are going to get something every time for your effort. We all know that is certainly NOT the case. I think it is such a better lesson, to realize you DON'T always get something. Teach them how to deal with the defeat as well as the glory! That is what our kids need to learn. Too be a good loser, but also a good winner!
I'll admit, as hard as I try my kids are just as bad as any. We have a race, the winner (say my 8 year old) is ecstatic, jumping up and down screaming with joy. The loser (say my 7 or 4 year old) devastated. Now they are not only mad they lost but they dislike my oldest because he is "bragging." Shouldn't he get to rejoice in his victory? They would want to, had it been them. Shouldn't they be allowed to be sad? Yes to both! So how do we do it? I am no expert. I am honestly asking the question. It is my mission in these years ahead to teach a healthy sense of self. I HATE to see them disappointed. But a poor loser is as bad as a poor winner! So again, how do we do it? How do we break this chain. I want my kids to feel good about themselves for trying their best regardless if they get a trophy. To be able to be self satisfied for their efforts and for the praise I give, as well as be able to take constructive criticism when I decide to give it. I want them to be proud of a win, and able to look at their competition and say great job! I want them to take a loss and look at their competition and say great job! If I can teach them these lessons, all the while reminding them I do so with so much love for them in my heart...Then I will have done my job correctly.
Wish me luck,
Ashley
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