Last night at dinner Todd commented, "I hope I hit a home run in my game tonight. That would be so cool." A few notes of background:
1. This is Todd's first season of baseball
2. Todd has never hit a home run
3. Early on in the season, Todd had brilliant batting success, but then he got a little nervous and started stepping out of the box and struggling.
So, as a mom who loves her son, I was thinking, but not saying, "Oh honey, don't set yourself up for disappointment." But what I really said was, "You just do your best."
Before his turn at bat, I actually heard him in the dugout, "I'm going to try and hit a home run for you guys." I cringed. This let-down was going to be hard.
Well, Todd made it through the kid-pitching balls and got four balls. Then the coach got up to pitch (his pitching hadn't been stellar, either). Todd swung, hit, and launched that ball over the shortstop's head, past the left fielder into deep left field. He hit not only a home run, but a grand slam home run--I looked up the definition to be sure: "In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all the bases occupied by baserunners, thereby scoring 4 runs--the most possible on a single play."
It's putting it mildly to say that Todd was a happy kid. Perma-grin comes to mind.
The power of positive thinking is AMAZING! So I've been pondering all day about reality and dreams. Am I a dream killer? Even if I don't say it out loud, did he know what I was thinking? Where is the dividing line between helping our kids reach for the stars and helping them be satisfied with who they are? How do we set them up for success without being too dissapointed at the failures that are sure to come their way? Life isn't all a bowl of cherries, but how do we know when to point that out and when to zip it?
I know I learned a great lesson last night. I'm going to aim higher from now on. I need to keep it real with my kids, but I also need to help them explore all the possibilities and all the greatness that lies within.
6 comments:
Those are some deep thoughts. I think I would have reacted the same way as you with my own children. Tell Todd that I think he is awesome. A grand-slam what a thrill. That would make anyones day.
I often think about the same thing. I want them to know they can achieve anything while still being realistic. Way 2 Go Todd. Thanks for helping us to believe in ourselves again!!!!
WOW, way to go Todd! Thanks for this post Steph. These are some definate questions all of us moms should be asking ourselves. Hopefully I can be more aware of when to zip it and let my kids reach the stars more often. What an example this was.
Todd, you rock! Steph, I find your questions interesting. I want to "protect" my kids from disappointments, embarrassments, hurts, etc. But is that even possible? And even if it were, would it be desirable? Maybe my role is different, maybe it's to be a warm, loving person when they do suffer disappointment, embarrassment, hurt, etc. Parenting is tough on so many levels!
I feel grateful to have been caught up in your life. Lots of good stuff to report. And about the gym, it's a definite good thing when you feel your body will never be the same again...that means it won't, and that's exactly what you want!
what a satisfying baseball story. i am so happy for todd! got teared up and proud auntie feelings--watching these boys grow up is sure amazing. a grand slam?!! that's what we want for our kids in every way---gotta remember it can happen even if there are strike outs along the way . . . You're a great mommy, Steph.
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