Archive for Parenting
Success is Not Always Measured in Medals
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Success is not always measured in medals. Let me rephrase that. The majority of life’s successes will never be recognized with a medal, award or honor.
In the past week I have been reminded of this statement many times. From the banner that hangs on the wall at the gym we competed at last weekend:
Medals do not make champions, HARD work does.
to my daughter’s performance at her competition last weekend. I was so happy to see her competing new skills – for the first time in one year – that any scores or awards she received were just icing on the cake.
Then there was my youngest daughter’s major accomplishment last night at swim practice – she had the maturity to make it through practice with a different coach who pushed her a little harder than she expected (because he knows she can) and rather than giving up, she swam hard – probably one of her best practices yet.
And at one of my favorite daily reads, Gymnastics Coaching, there were three separate articles this week that highlight the process, not the medals:
- Why we coach kids
- What’s important aside Olympic medals – and you have to read Sport At Its Best – Clara Hughes interview
- And I absolutely love – What are we teaching our kids at competitions
Remember, it is the journey rather than the destination that is the true reward in sports (and life).
Have a great weekend!
Video: Give Me A “D” for Dad’s Involvement
Posted by: | CommentsWhile doing some research for an upcoming writing assignment I found one of my all time favorite youth sports videos at Mark Hyman’s Youth Sports Parenting site. I. LOVE. THIS. VIDEO! Yes, its been around a while, but this PSA ad put out a few years ago spotlights the importance of Dad’s involvement in the development of their childrens’ self esteem. Enjoy.
From the Ad Council:
More than 79% of Americans feel “the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home.” Research shows that the lack of a father in the home correlates closely with crime, educational and emotional problems, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse.
In an effort to show dads the critical role they play in their children’s lives, the Ad Council has partnered with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and volunteer ad agency Campbell-Ewald to create a new PSA campaign that communicates to fathers that their presence is essential to their children’s well-being. The campaign provides fathers with the information they need to become better dads.
Now if this doesn’t give you something to cheer about today, I don’t know what will.
Confidence – The Secret Ingredient
Posted by: | CommentsYoung athletes develop confidence one step at a time and it is often overlooked as a key ingredient for a child’s success and enjoyment of sports.
Confidence is often the difference between an athlete looking forward to a competition and dreading it. Confidence is often the difference between a child wanting to go to practice and wanting to quit. Confidence is the difference between and athlete being able to handle an adverse situation and one crumbling at the first sign of difficulty. And confidence is often hard to put your finger on, too.
If we as coaches or parents ask them to take on more than they can handle or put them in a training situation they are not yet ready for, we are not helping build that confidence.
On the other hand, if we make sure young athletes are placed in situations where they are able to learn, be challenged (but not overwhelmed), and be successful you might just be surprised that the athlete climbs an entire staircase of confidence steps when you least expect it!
