“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” -Seneca
As I sat and watched the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics tonight I started to think about all the things that I have wanted to do but was just to scared to try. Or thought that I wasn’t good enough. It kinda made me sad
I know that softball and baseball are no longer Olympic events (which is a huge shame if you ask me) but softball is my sport of choice. It always has been. Well, that and basketball but I was never tall enough to be a decent baskeball player. Anyway, my dad tried to convince me to try out to be a walk on for the softball team at the college I went to but I was always just to afraid that I wouldn’t be good enough so I never did. I made up excuse after excuse as to why I couldn’t try out. Now that I look back I really wish I would have tried. I did get to play a season of church league softball but that wasn’t really ever enough. So now I wonder if I would have tried harder and put myself out there could I have been more in the way of sports? Could I have made it to the US National Team? Or would I have fallen flat on my face? Unfortunately, those are questions I will never get answered.
Now that I have kids I find myself sitting and dreaming of the days that I will be the one running around like a chicken with my head cut off getting them from one place to another. Thinking about baseball and football practices for Collin, or dance classes and gymnastic practices for RaeLynn (not that she can’t play sports if she wants to). I try to keep these thoughts as much to myself as I can because I really don’t want to turn into that pushy parent that is basically living vicarously though her kids. I want them to do what they want to do in the relm of exrta-cirricular activites. I will be perfectly happy if neither one of my kids ever play any type of sport, but I don’t want them to regret not trying either.
I guess the biggest thing is that I find myself asking how do you find the right balance? The balance between pushing them to do their best versus trying to turn your dreams into theirs. I guess I’m lucky that both of them are really to young for this to be an issue yet. I just hope that I will be able to really find that balance between supportive and encourgaing parent and super psychotic slave driving coach type. But time will really tell.
A Wise Woman in Progress 
I am glad to see you blogging! I think if I were to share what I have learned about balance it would be not to push the little ones before their time. I am not too impressed with peewee sports as critical family time is disappearing…the family hurries to games eats fast food etc. I think ALL children should be exposed to music and potential lessons early-6 or so but not drill sgt forced. With my kids, I always let them pick but made them see through a commitment if they signed up. One really wanted to try out for a play but was nervous..my advice was this, When you are 45 do you want to look back and say you tried and failed or that you never tried at all. He tried out and actually found out he enjoys the theater. I think this is the approach best used. But each one of us moms is mom for a wonderful reason and we can align our children towards God and allow all else to follow-then life will be good!Keep on blogging mrs co producer of two very beautiful babies!!Jennifer
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