My Softball Princess
@gnatsmom (2575)
July 3, 2019 12:20pm CST
Currently, my youngest is playing volleyball. It wasn't too long ago though, that she was hitting the softball field. The girl loves sports.
As a parent, I want her to find balance in her life. I want here to pursue the things she loves but not get so obsessed that she doesn't experience joy. This past softball season, she was so obsessed with making all stars that she couldn't even enjoy the game. She beat herself down with every game. She took the blame for the mistakes of the other players. She had a coach who never practiced and just verbally manipulated the girls for wins. She took his words so personal. The first part of the season, she was miserable in something she usually enjoys. Finally, her dad and I were able to get through to her and remind her that she can't control how everyone else functions. She is only responsible for herself. Her goal she be to please God with her attitude and behavior and then just do her very best. We reminded her when something begins to steal your joy rather than add to it, it may be time to walk away. After much prayer and heart felt conversations, she was able to approach the last part of softball season with fun and laughter. She followed our advice and remembered why she loved the game. She also learned some valuable life lessons, which is one of the goals in anything we endeavor to do.
Some of the lessons our softball chic learned are as follows:
1. Never give up, no matter how hard the situation may be.
2. Teamwork is a must.
3. Hard work pays off.
4. Sportsmanship reveals the character of the players and the coaches.
5. Life is not fair. We can let it cause us to live in despair or we can dust ourselves off and move forward and succeed.
What are some lessons you have had to help your kids understand?
5 people like this
5 responses
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
4 Jul 19
I try to keep saying the same thing to my daughters. They have to enjoy what they love to do and give their best. They should not bother too much about the result. My elder one is in sports. And for sure being in sports myself during my student life, I bet that games field is the best place to learn few of the most valuable lessons of life.
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Jul 19
Those are some awesome lessons to learn! Your daughter is beautiful by the way. =)
I can relate a lot to this discussion since I loved softball and volleyball in high school-and I seemed to as a kid take everything on my own shoulders. My daughter had to be taught the same lesson to only worry about her own choices and her own reactions.
Now that I'm grown I do what I love to do, it brings me joy blessing others and I'm so grateful to God for that! I don't worry about the money aspect because God provides and I know that. =) Doing something that brings joy is such a blessing.
@gnatsmom (2575)
•
3 Jul 19
I am so glad you mentioned the money aspect. That is one thing we try to instill also. Follow God, please Him, work hard, and trust Him to provide financially. BTW, thanks for the compliment on my daughter. She doesn't always see her beauty, but every time she starts feeling ugly or un worthy, God sends someone (often complete strangers) to compliment her beauty or her worth.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Jul 19
@gnatsmom You're welcome, she's gorgeous-please tell her I said so! God sends the people along our paths just as we need Him to. =) It's amazing how He works!
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 19
It is really sad to see a child stop enjoying something she once loved.
@gnatsmom (2575)
•
3 Jul 19
Thank you.
I am so sorry you lost your child. There are no words to make this type of hurt better, but I can certainly pray for some type of peace and comfort and I will.
