Tugging the Heartstrings of Parenthood

Just as I thought I had overcome the trauma of watching my heart walk around in another human being's body, one of my boys managed to get slighted in recreational league sports and I was the one who cried.  I’ve coached at the high school level, all the way down to these little leaguers and I do my best to be objective.  I can look around and see that my little 45 pound Mini-Me simply can’t hit with those 80 and 90 pound kids that are the same age.

So, what sets him apart in my mind? 

It’s his attitude.  I watch other kids go up to bat and even after a good hit that resulted in an out, they retreat to the dug out in tears.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know some kids are just wired differently but the thing is, those kids don’t take the game any more seriously than my son.  What he sets him apart is just that; his attitude.  I joke about this, but it’s true.  He goes to games and win or lose, hits, homeruns or errors, he has a good time and on our way home, his first question is, “who’s going to throw with me when we get home”.  

And as a former coach, even with my parent blinders on, I want players that can take the bumps and bruises and move on.  Moreover, the life lessons learned from that are enormous. The main reason our kids participate in sports is directly related to their ability to take the good and the bad in stride and move on.  We don’t encourage them to participate so they can be major leaguers one day, we encourage them to participate to learn life skills.


If you have any question what life skills I’m talking about, just take what you have read, mull it over and let it ferment.  When you are done, remember, it will be my child that gets the job rejections but never quits trying. He will be the one who starts his own business, possibly doesn’t succeed but tries it again when he learns a little more about how to be successful.He will be the one who rises to the top, the cream of the crop if you will.

Little league is for life skills, and is not necessarily all about the athletic talents.  Oh sure, that helps and maybe a little better fielder or a better hitter makes the all-star team instead of my little guy, but that’s OK, we can rest assured that we are creating a good environment for our kids.  And, really, that’s all that matters to me in the long run.

What about you?  Do your kids participate?  Are you able to take it in stride and let your kids just enjoy the experience?  What’s your take on letting your heart walk around outside your body?

Find Jerri Ann on her blogs;  Trash Can Bloggers, Mom-E-Centric and The Jerri Ann

Find Jerri Ann here:

• The Jerri Ann
• Mom-E-Centric
• Trash Can Bloggers