My boys had their championship basketball games on Saturday. Two older boys on the same team, and the youngest on his own team. All three made it to the winners bracket.
My youngest son’s game was first, he dominated & obliterated I mean played a well spirited game where they won. What I have learned as my boys grew, when they were younger all the parents are on the sidelines cheering and laughing and saying comments like “aren’t they cute.” This is still true for my 9 year old, the competition has been acknowledged but parents are typically still “having fun.”
Then we enter the age of about 12 and older….
Parents are saying things like “get that ball, that kid is not better than you” you know encouraging stuff like that. Now I would never admit to being THAT type of parent on the world wide web, but on occasion during intense games the “claws” do come out. Suddenly as parents we are not sitting there saying “aren’t they cute,” now we are saying “we want blood!!!” Beat that team, and let them remember your name.
Oh goodness these sports bring out the “wild in me” where I am normally tame =) Ok back to my two older sons game. First let me preface this with, my two older boys were up early Saturday morning walking around here like caged animals. Just anxious for the game (which did not begin until 1:30…Lord have mercy!). Once the game began it became evident the two teams were evenly matched. We made a basket, they made a basket. This kept going until the last quarter. It was basically down to who will make the most mistakes. And well…we made the most mistakes and ended up losing by only a couple of points. I have not seen my 13 (almost 14 in a two weeks) tear up because of a game before, but below is the scene I saw after the game. Daddy telling him he totally understood what it feels like to lose the big game.
But I am proud as a parent, because both teams of boys were congratulating each other after the game and saying positive things. Unlike the game that got us to the winners bracket where the losing team had a relative that just went off on the guy running the league. It was sad.
I am glad my two older sons got to experience losing with grace, and my younger son having the humility enough not to rub it in that they won.
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{ 9 comments }
A good attitude makes such a huge difference–especially in later on. Good for them.
Congratulations to your youngest son’s team - how cool that they have won their game
Yeah - those heart-breaking games feel horrible, but I am glad that the teams parted in friendship.
Blessings to you and yours…
I’ve heard it said that sports is character building. Still, you can’t convince this mother’s heart when it is my son who lost! What a great moment….between son and father. I’m so glad your son had his dad to go to.
Perspective: That’s what I keep reminding myself as my son is benched…or has a bad game. Perspective. Life is NOT about basketball…it is about the character and development of a healthy young boy into a fabulous young man.
Congrat’s to both of your boys for playing their best!
Diane
Laurel~
I can SO related to this post. Being the mom to ONE son…who has basketball running through his veins…..I too, at rare…(ok..my daughter would say…all occasions..) times have my claws come out!!
What valueable life lessons our sons learn….when they play their heart out…leaving it on the court, only to lose!! These are truly great character building times……and for me, they will end in 2 short years……
Enjoy this season….for all too soon…both you and I will sorely miss it!!!
I AM IMPRESSED…You have done a good job. Losing with grace is as important as winning with humility. God has a way of teaching us the most incredible things through our children….:)
Have a great evening girlfriend!!!
Obviously I snuck in a comment during work….sssshhhhh—do not tell. I have been so very VERY busy at night, I have NO COMPUTER TIME!
I get into the games to much sometimes! My daughter is a HUGE basket ball player and everyone wants her on their team because she just knows how to get around all these big girls who think they are better than her. I am a very proud momma when she plays because we all KNOW she got her tenacity from me right? Anyways just wanted to stop by and say HI since it’s been a little while!
Blessings
an important lesson. and let me say the fact that you caught that on film is amazing. It’s touching it shows what a great job you guys are doing!
hugs and prayers.. little people little problems, big people bigger problems… or so i’ve been told.. i’m still in the little people stage! lol
I’ve always thought, whether you have girls or boys, participation in sports is very character building. I’ve sat on the sidelines and watched my girls make it to softball state finals and then lose the big game. I’ve also watched them win the big game. Either way, it builds character whether is in leaning how to win, or lose, graciously.
And I’ve seen parents completely lose control of themselves - it’s so sad that they don’t realize they’re sending a less than stellar message to their children when they scream at the umpires or referees or judges.
Congratulations to all your boys, your younger won for his big win and the older two for bearing up to the loss.
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