“They’re boring:” Olympics 0, Minecraft 1
Posted: February 19, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized 2 Comments
This post is part of the #OlympicMoms #OlympicDads campaign! Follow on Twitter for family fitness, nutrition, and inspiration advice from 15 international professionals during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
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A young child said to me, “The Olympics? That’s boring … I like MINECRAFT!” and proceeded to tell me the 12 million reasons why. Which I already know.
There it is, the collective gasp from my client parents thinking, “Oh no, she’s writing about my child … did my kid say that?” Well relax, because about 20 children in recent days have said the same thing.
Okay, so it’s different now… Kids have video games, but most of us didn’t when growing up.Video games like Minecraft are addictive and instantly reinforcing.They fill our children’s minds. And they’re available every day. But the Olympics only come around every few years. Take a moment, just a moment, to explain what the big deal is.
Even if you personally don’t really care about the Olympics, MAKE yourself… for just a moment. The lessons of the Olympics are timeless, indelible, the very celebration of perseverance and effort. And aren’t these the inner resources you hope your child can find to succeed, at whatever moment or level in their lives, whatever they yearn for and try, no matter what they may grow up to be.
- The Olympics are ancient and have been around a long time… somewhere between velociraptors and “the 1900s.”
- Athletes love their sport but work super hard. They practice even when they don’t feel like it!
- Many Olympic athletes are teens who still have to do homework, pick up dog poop and clean their rooms between practices.
- Being good at a sport requires your whole mind and whole body, not just your thumbs.
- Some kid in your class, your school, or your community may be getting ready to be an Olympian right now; you might see him on TV in 2022 say, “Whoa, I knew that kid!”
- People training for the Olympics fail every day – fall down, make mistakes, think maybe they can’t do it – and get back up.
Take a moment to sit on the couch with your child, by the TV or with your tablet or phone, even for one event.
Look up a background story with video of an Olympian as a preschooler, gradeschooler. They’re all over NBCOlympics.com. This athlete was once the same age your child is now. Look at him now!
Watch and talk about a single athlete… How old is he? How old was she when she first tried that sport? Who thought she could be in the Olympics … his mom or dad, his coach, himself? Who loves her, drives her to practices, and cheers her on? Did he think about quitting? How did she do in competition today? Is he a loser even if he placed 9th or 19th? Can she try again for the Olympics next year? No, she’s 16 now, and she can’t try this again until she’s 20.Do you think she’ll try again? Would you? How do you think he feels about a bronze medal? How would you feel?
Parent Dreams … Olympic or Otherwise
Posted: February 13, 2014 Filed under: bonding, parent-child relationship, Parenting, Relationship, resilience, Uncategorized | Tags: #Inspiration, #OlympicDads, #OlympicMoms, #Olympics, #parent-child, child, parenting 2 CommentsThis post is part of the #OlympicMoms #OlympicDads campaign started by Dr. Lynne Kenney & friends to support & inspire parents around the globe!
Does it happen to you every few years?
The Olympics return …
A deep wish, a poignant pull, an unfulfilled dream. Whether you actually wanted to be an Olympian or not doesn’t matter. Simply watching the athletes can stir memories of ANY dreams you did not pursue.
Activities quit, efforts abandoned, wishes that never made it to a To Do list …
So then …with your kids nestled under your arm, what do you do? Keep your thoughts to yourself, or share them?
From childhood through your teens into adulthood, countless dreams have drifted across your mind and spirit. Adventures you’ve considered and tabled, visions you’ve pursued and prospered by. You have signed up and succeeded, envisioned and ventured, bailed before you failed, or left a dream lie dormant.
Your children could benefit from hearing about your dreams, the whats and whys, and what you think about them today.
Did you want to be a skier, a dancer, a skater, a ballplayer? A speaker, an inventor, an author, a cook? Did you sign up, or not sign up? Did you try and fail? Did you stay discouraged or try again? Were you glad you persisted, or more glad you kept searching elsewhere for your genuine talent? Did someone believe in you when you didn’t? Do you have regrets? How do you feel about your past coping with a challenge — the risky challenge of pursuing something you dearly want, despite the struggle and strain?
Share your “Olympic” thoughts with your children to connect with them and build their resilience to cope. Sharing your coping tales can provide a realistic model of the many shades of color between success & failure. Resilience … this is how it happens.
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Learn more about the #OlympicMoms #OlympicDads campaign by clicking HERE
A Child in Mind 