Powerful video

I came across this video and had to post to my blog.

As a parent, I understand the value of sports and all that it teaches. I pray that my children have learned good sportsmanship, patience, and the importance of teamwork.  I believe that my girls would have the strength to put someone else first, in essence, to share the glory.  This is what I tell myself when I watch something as powerful as the video.

I can only imagine the overwhelming joy, love and gratitude that the parents felt upon watching this event unfold.  The mother; of the coach who put the young player on the court, of the boys on the same team who continually passed the ball, of the young man on the opposite team who passed the interception, and of the young player who finally got the last basket of the game.

If I can be so overcome with emotion after watching the video, I can only imagine how it affected the many players and spectators who were lucky enough to be in the bleachers that day!

Quiet on the Sidelines

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”  I grew up playing sports. I remember how exciting it was to hear fans cheering for us, but I also remember the embarrassment when a father was asked to leave the game for screaming insults at the referee. Spectators believe it’s their prerogative to criticize the referees, the coaches or the players. Why can’t everyone just sit quietly on the sidelines until someone scores?

I understand that a great game of basketball; one that’s close in score, with an abundance of foul calls, can cause adrenaline to flow in spectators. The need to show support for the team, to encourage your child, or to voice your opinion can overwhelm even the shyest mother. I have been known to holler many chants of “de-fense” and “let’s go...” but I make sure to clap for any player who can shoot a three pointer, regardless of the team.

I naively think that some parents lay blame with the refereeing believing somehow it’ll make a loss sound better. After all, it must be “the stupid referees fault we lost by 45 points”, it can’t be because the best player fouled out or the lack of rebounding.  I will admit that I’ve seen my share of bad calls. The referees are not siding with the opposition; they are just doing their job, albeit a difficult one.  

I think it’s wonderful to see parents sitting in the stands cheering for their child’s team. In todays busy world it can seem impossible to find time for teenage sports, even your own child.  Parents of athletes will tell you they are proud and supportive to their child and love to watch the game. Yet, “Run faster!” and “What kind of pass was that?” are the comments I hear while sitting on the sidelines at the local junior high game.  These unhelpful comments are demeaning to the players and make other parents feel uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if you’re hollering at your own child, it’s damaging their self-esteem.  This is the reason many schools find it necessary to have parents and players sign a code-of-conduct agreement at the start of the season.

It’s incredibly awkward to sit and listen to a parent complain that the coach never plays their child. This disrespectful and unappreciative chatter from parents who show very little commitment to the team, are the same parents who demand more of the coaches so their child can improve.  I know many parents feel the coach picks favourites. I know equal opportunity would benefit all players, however we live in a world where not everyone wins. If the coach feels certain players need to be on the court longer, trust his instincts. After all, I don’t see you putting in volunteer hours on the sidelines to get hollered at by unappreciative parents.

So next time you shout from the bleachers, think about how you would feel if you heard someone yell at your child.  Next time a referee makes a call you don’t agree with, try cheering words of encouragement to the team, don’t give the officials attention, after all you are there to watch the players. When the season is over remember to thank the coach. Recognize that it is the hard work, dedication, and passion that coaches provide, that will encourage your child to fall in love with sports. Who knows maybe one day your child will become a coach, or heaven help you, a referee.  Until then, sit on the bleachers and be a positive and enthusiastic cheerleader for all young athletes.

Coaching On The Sidelines

As I look over my calendar for the month of February, it dawns on me; sports make my life incredibly busy! I feel blessed to have sat on the sidelines of countless basketball games at various stages in my girls’ lives. I have always cheered enthusiastically for our team, and sometimes for the other team. I have groaned at bad calls, sighed at missed baskets and whistled loudly for my daughter, her teammates and occasionally for the player on the other team who makes a three-point basket.

Most recently, however, I found myself thinking about what we teach our children when they come off the court after a game. 

Our team had lost a game 106-22, a brutal defeat and an embarrassment to some degree.

Why does a coach allow his players to run up a score?

Where is the mercy rule in basketball? 

As a parent on the losing team, these questions are heard loud and clear on the sidelines.  But step back and listen, to the players who are vying for scholarships. Where every basket scored, every minute played, and every foul shot taken can decide if a University scout will ever look at you again. 

Now do these questions have the same validity? 

Sometimes, it is our perspective that can alter how we view the results of what is ultimately just a game!

Redefining Working Mothers

I came across the acronym WAHM today reading a parenting blog. It didn’t take me long to figure out the writer meant ‘Work At Home Mom’. Expressions like this cause me to pause and reflect on the negative stereotype that society has created for those who stay home to raise children. 

I remember waiting for my daughter after school one day and having another mom strike up a conversation with me. One of the first questions she asked was, “Do you work?” I have a bit of a sarcastic personality and was tempted to say, “Nope, never lift a finger if I can help it”.  Does the general public really think that SAHMs (stay-at-home-moms) sit around watching soap operas and drinking coffee?

Ok I drink coffee, but I hate daytime TV. And of course I work, every mother does! 

I searched to find this job description that I had seen as an email, way back when my children were young, and I think it adequately sums up my work as a mother. For those not willing to read the job description, you can listen to this videoclip.

I understand there needs to be distinction between those who work for a paycheck (whether inside or outside the home) and those who chose to be ‘stay-at-home-moms’, but do we really need to use the term “working mom”?