We are a big soccer family. You betcha, we’ve been watching
the Women’s World Cup over the past few weeks. We were even able to watch the
game against Columbia alongside my soccer hero of a sister. (She played at
UConn, met Pelé, and won All-American numerous
times during her athletic career.) It’s been so exciting to cheer on the
American women’s team.
But as most things do, it’s also triggered me to become
reflective. All three of my girls are active in sports, one in dance and two in
soccer. I’m constantly observing and absorbing as I parent my girls through
their games and performances. And I’m learning more about who I am and who I
want to be as a parent.
Creativity bleeds through all areas of life if we let it.
The willingness to do something differently—to stretch yourself—to engage in
something in a way that might at first seem unconventional or even strange.
There’s a ripe opportunity for all parents to take a creative approach to
parenting their children on the field and the dance floor…wherever they may
participate.
I’m grateful for a dear friend of mine. We call each other
often to hash out our weekends jam-packed with sports activities. We
psychoanalyze the parents, keep ourselves in check, and remind one another of
the very message that is so well communicated in the following TED Talk.
If you have children in sports I urge you to watch this.
The takeaway? Next time your kid tromps off a field, be it a
diamond or rectangle…remember these words…
“I love watching you play.”
This rings true to the core for me. Watching my girls grow,
work through difficulties on the field and dance floor, and fight to reach a
more resilient layer within themselves—this is a sheer joy for me.
Do you love watching your kids play sports? What else do you
think needs to change in youth sports today?
*Thanks to my friend Dawn for pointing me to this particular
TED Talk.
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