Life, Family, Trying to Be Happy
Times have changed in some ways since I’ve played Youth Sports and some things have stayed the same.
Parents still think their child is the best player ever and think they should be the team superstar. The coaches kid gets tons of playing time whether it is deserving or not.
A disturbing trend I’ve noticed recently is the lack of interest from the kids playing. Apathetic.
Void of feeling; not susceptible of deep emotion; passionless; indifferent.
Some just don’t seem to want to even be there. Better yet, they say they hate the sport they are playing. They don’t want to even try. Yeah, I remember practices being boring when I was growing up too but aren’t the games at least suppose to be fun?
So what is their motivation for playing? Are they doing it just to have an activity, peer pressure, parental pressure, or some unknown force? Maybe they just haven’t found their thing yet or are afraid to admit what activity they really want to do.
If they are playing because their parents are forcing them to, I wish the parents would consider the teammates and coaches when they do this. Teammates get frustrated with an apathetic attitude and coaches don’t know how to handle kids who don’t care.
Then you have the segment of coaches that want to win at any cost. Isn’t the goal at a young age to develop your players and teach fundamental skills so they can succeed later. Right now they are young but eventually they will be in middle school and high school together playing on the same team, fighting for the same cause.
It seems the kids are beating down the kids on opposing teams. Trashing talking them because of being on opposite teams. When in reality, they are going to be teammates with each other in just a short few years.
From my years growing up, the common denominator with successful teams is a TEAM attitude. No, you don’t have to like everyone on your team but you need to respect your teammates and get along for the common good.
The win at any cost attitude really irks me. Of course, I want to win. Do I want to win at the expense of the children on the other team who are part of my community? I want to win because we are that good and the opposition is that good. I don’t want to win because of the mistakes another team makes.
I want to win playing our best, playing the best.
Breakfast is a favorite time in our household. Apparently.
This is a typical good night:
“Love you mom. See you in the morning. Make me a good breakfast.”
I’m like, seriously, this little one is already planning on breakfast while they are preparing for bed?
So you may be asking yourself? Well, what kind of grand breakfast does Briana prepare for them?
Breakfast is typically cereal, breakfast bar, toaster strudel, frozen waffles, toast, eggs, or eggs in a basket. So the options are not always sweet options. They love it when I make eggs in a basket too.
Peyton, at just eight years old, will also make everyone eggs if he gets up early enough! Eli can make everything up to the eggs. Hannah can make everything too but she usually isn’t thrilled about it.
Now, I didn’t realize what a big deal breakfast was for the kids until I had a curious question from grandma. After spending a soccer practice with Sofia, my mom asked me “What are these Toaster Strudels I keep hearing about?”
Hilarious. All she talked about was how she liked to eat toaster strudels, “grandma, do you have toaster strudels at your house,” discussing how her brothers try to eat all the toaster strudels. Obsessed with the silly toaster strudels.
The funny part about it is I rarely buy toaster strudels. Only if there are part of a rocking sale do I buy them so they truly are smoking hot sweet treat for the kids!
Doesn’t take much to win them over. Offer toaster strudels as part of the package and they will love you forever.
So, did anyone catch me sneaking into this picture the expression almost seems to say. Maybe they won’t notice….
Joy of summer. Pure innocence enjoying the sand on her feet. This was just beautiful to watch. Oh to be three years old again.
His emotions change quicker than the weather. Happy boy, serious boy, if looks could kill boy, very very upset boy.
You said What?