I’m not a big sports fan, but I’ve always enjoyed watching the Olympics. I admire the athletes who work hard to be the best.
I’m always surprised however, to hear that a competitor began training at age three or so. Like the Romanian or Chinese female gymnasts who are selected from their daycare (did someone see them jumping on the couch and think that she was destined for glory?) Or that a parent or coach envisioned the day...that his/her child would be a champion (think of Michael Phelps or Serena and Venus Williams)?
I watched Michael Phelps break a world record in swimming and win (yet) another gold medal, and then express his disappointment in himself because he knew he could be faster. And after the women’s gymnastics team settled for the silver medal, I read that one of the gymnasts commented that, “you don’t work hard for a silver.” So does this mean that good isn’t good enough? Is there too much emphasis on excelling? Are parents to blame for high expectations?
I’ll never forget when I witnessed a father coaching his preschooler
how to ride a swing: “Push...pull...push...pull” the Dad said to his
son as he swung back and forth. ”And sometimes people say, ‘wheeeee!’”
Lily is only 5 years old but OMG! she's officially become a drama queen...lately, I think drag queens are easier going. I asked her to put her shoes in the shoe bin last night, something she's been doing for years. I don't like shoes in the house because it's like bringing the street in your home...and we live in Brooklyn one can only imagine what goes on in that street. All she had to do was reach over 3 feet and put them in the bin but instead she had her nineteenth nervous breakdown.
"You're ruining my life!" She said as she through herself on the floor in a tearful fit. Then she threw the shoes across the room. I know....it was really funny, so over the top. Give her a feather boa already.
"Sweetie, all I ask is that you put your shoes in the bin so you don't trip on them and break your neck. This is not ruining your life....I have yet to begin to ruin your life," was my response.
Is this kind of dramatic behavior common for 5 year olds? I hate it when friends say, "It's a girl thing." My nephew is a drama king as well so obviously that logic doesn't apply.
Just got back from an amazing vacation in spectacular Santa Fe with friends. There were zero complaints, no whining, and nobody begged to swap out pizza in favor of the local cuisine. Everyone got along and there was no bickering about who sat where. And why was that? Because not one of our combined five offspring was with us.
Travel with the kiddies? That’s a trip. Adults-only travel? Now that is what I call a true vacay.
