Friday, March 23, 2012
Is Competition Good
I grew up in the competitive sports world and played nearly every sport imaginable. I played ice hockey, softball, golf, volleyball, track and field, basketball, bowling, and anything that offered competition. My father always pushed us to be the best, do our best, and we would be rewarded for our hard work. I maintain straight A's through school and when it I needed it to count, it did, I recieved a full athletic scholarship for college. My brother, who was an awesome baseball player, also received full athletic scholarship. I have sister, though not the athlete my brother and I were, was very book smart, and I can remember her staying up until the wee hours of the night to finish her homework. She is a bit OCD as well, so it had to be done with perfection. To this day, I am a very competitive adult and hate to lose. That is my nature and I am okay with that. However, I have two daughters and I am pushing them as my father did me. Is this bad? I don't think so!
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Participating in sports, can push an individual in many ways. In your case...it helped you academically. You learned to balance your athletic and academic responsibilities and in the end...you were rewarded with scholarship to a college institution. I truly believe participating in extracurricular activities like sports helps a person in the end!
ReplyDeleteDo you find with your athletic upbringing that you influenced your kids to be competitive as well or did it evolve on its own? Great blog!
ReplyDeleteEverything in moderation right? I think as long as they're having fun and it's not hurting anyone then its a good thing. It builds self-confidence, sportsmanship, commorodary and sometimes lifelong friendships. If they start to show clear signs of not being interested then you should find what interests them. Being a mother is a daily learning experience. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is bad to push if and only if the kids has the same desire to play at the level that you did as a kid. I truely believe that this should be there decision. The cost is out of this world and there is no need doing it if they don't want to put the effort and time that is needed. I think you need to have this conversation with your kids.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who was pushed hard in school to be the best and it did not work so well for him. Maybe it has to do with the way you are pushed. The constant you can do better, that's not good enough and study harder led to less self confidence and the feeling of being browbeaten. Once he got away from home and at college the studying went out the door and rebellion and partying kicked in. Maybe it also depends on the personality of the pushee.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds it's hard to find that fine line between playing competitive sports and being able to have a social life. I have a niece that plays competitive softball as well. The only issue I see is that her brother and sister (that are a few years younger than her) have to spend every weekend of their summer at tournaments as well. They also missed a few important family events because they did want my niece to miss a tournament.
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