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Football
By Amy | August 29, 2007
Football season is upon us now at all levels, and many kids look up to the pros…so I thought we should talk about football in particular along with the pros and role-model situations.
First off, football is a full contact sport which causes it to be of concern to some parents. Football is definitely not a sport for every kid, and mostly you’ll only see boys on the field. (Obviously not counting the cheer leaders on the side lines-or the cheering or screaming moms!)
My little brother Brian played football all four years of high school and quite a few of my friends’ kids play as well as my kids’ friends.
Basically, the kids run a lot, have to work as a team, have to use strategy and of course talent doesn’t hurt!
Of course when they’re younger you just pay the fees and buy the equipment and they will be assigned to a team. As they get older, they will have to actually try out for the team. That means, they will have to be serious about the sport, be dedicated and constantly improve their skills.
If the child is extremely talented and plays exceptionally well in high school, they can be recruited for colleges-and even get their education paid for by their athletic skills. Either way, responsibility, dedication, teamwork, and social skills are great things that come along with the sport.
My boys go back and forth on rather they want to play or not in an organized setting. Probably because I tell them how expensive it is (especially the first year-there’s the registration, uniform, pads, cleats, a cup, etc.) and if I sign them up they had better be serious about playing. (We still play with them at the park or in the backyard…but its just playing around as a family.)
Like most kids their ages (Lamont’s 10 and Mel’s almost 12) they have dreams of becoming professional athletes. What’s not to love…the fame, fortune, and of course “playing” your favorite sport is what you get paid to do-your “job”!
Now, most adults realize there is quite a bit more to it than that. However the kids don’t realize it. I am fortunate in the sense that my boys don’t really idolize professional athletes or actors or musicians.
They look up to their dad as their role-model. When he walks in their little brown eyes light up. When they get words of encouragement or a pat on the back from him, their smiles are never brighter.
It’s okay to let our kids see the celebrities for what they are-real humans that make mistakes. Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’ve more than likely heard about Michael Vick (a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons NFL team).
If not, I’ll clue you in-in a nut shell. He’s been indicted on some serious federal felony charges having to do with an underground dog fighting ring; including allegations of inhumanely murdering “weaker” dogs and promoting gambling at these dog fights.
Mel and Lamont know who he is and what he is accused of. (At this point, what he has done.) They just shake their heads and say that’s real sad for those poor dogs. I’m thankful that my kids don’t worship him…
A few years ago I had to take the Kobe Bryant jerseys and put them up because we didn’t know what was going on and I’d rather my kids see that they really are human too. We watched the news coverage together. They were just disappointed. Kind of like now.
I guess my point is that no matter what your parenting style is (yes, we’re all different) be mindful of who your kids look up to. Make sure you explain that those “stars” are human and will make mistakes as well.
Most importantly, be your childs role model yourself. Make them proud. Let them know that you are proud of them. Praise all of their accomplishments. Rather you spend all day with your kids or only a couple of hours…make that time count. Quality, not quantity is what matters the most and what they will remember the most.
Until next time,
Amy
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