Like most of us, I would assume that you have become a taxi cab/dealer for your child's endeavors. Specifically his or her athletic ventures. Since when am I suppose to be the one that gets my kid to practice, wake my kid up to go to practice, and remind my kid to practice? Why should I put forth more effort into getting my kids to practice than they do? I actually feel like I'm the one signed up
for the event.
Today during these politically correct times, parents have become enablers. They/we have created an expectation to the public that supports these bad gestures. Society actually frowns on us parents who say no to our child. They even are appalled at the sound of a parent saying, "I'm not going to give you a ride" or "you need to work- it- out and be accountable." I actually think that a boy's brain implodes between ages 15 - 17. If it doesn't implode, I don't know what the hell is going on in their little minds because they are all nuts. I should know; my mom said that I went through some (only some of what these kids are doing!) of that too. But the difference between my generation and theirs is we "worked things out," we " were lead to believe that it was up to us to be good or be the best" when we complained, we were given the option of continuing to blame others or do something about it, we went to practice, and we didn't bother our parents about always giving us a ride. I remember being a part of teams where if we got an award, it was because we took first, second, or third place (not fourth, and we didn't even want the second or third place award; we only wanted to win). It was because ONE of us was the Most Valuable Player, All-Star, etc. We didn't get prizes for participating or just showing up.
Today, coaches can't discipline or, much less yell at a kid. Heck, parents don't punish or yell at their own kids. And don't give me that crap about yelling or spanking. Before you say (in defense of your kid receiving a participation award), look at our society. We wake our kids up, we mentally prepare them for the day/practice, we fix their breakfast, we wash their clothes, we buy the requested clothes that allow them to style on the field, track, or court, we run back home to get the thing that they forgot, we take them to practice, we pick them up from practice, we wait until they are finishing practice, we go to their games, we stay unit the game is over, we pay the fees associated with the team and the games, we pay for pre-game and post-game meals, we are asked to pay for a portion of the coaches gifts, the team mom works harder than most of the coaches, and we wake-up early in the morning, and start all over again.
Here's what I think. We (parents) should get a trophy! We (parents) should get a medal! We (parents) should get a certificate. Why? Because we/I work harder, and I'm more vested. I'm not even sure if they workout while on the field harder than we do. They certainly can't say that they do more. Ok, maybe they can, but I shouldn't have to even question or compare that! This didn't happen in my day and yours, and my parents couldn't say these things about me. Having said that, I enjoyed having my parents participate in giving me a ride every once and a while. I also appreciate that they came to some of my games. But I tell you this for sure, I took accountability for my actions; thus, I got the awards, the real trophy. This is why we/I (parents) deserve a medal, a piece of acknowledgment...Something!....Oh yeah, that's right, our kids "PARTICIPATED," and they are the ones that need to get the award...Yeah right!... What they need is a better attitude!
