I am going to champion the "score a game winner" response from more than a simple snort, scratch and spit alpha male angle.
It seems to me that it is our job to not only nurture and encourage emotionally aware, emotionally intelligent children, but strong, active individuals who not only are willing to lead by example but who can inspire their teammates and classmates. On an individual basis, the simple act of sharing without encouragement is awesome! Seeing that fills me with pride, no doubt about it. But from a broader point of view, I would love it if my child's selfless sharing was a motivation or example for his classmates to do the same. Now lets be honest - adult or child, we are motivated by those we look to as leaders. Whether a parent, a teacher, a friend, a peer or what have you, we look to those we respect as examples of how to live.
Now lets think about this a bit more. If your child is in the position to score a game winner, it means his or her coach and teammates have faith in him or her. That's pretty heavy right there and inspires pride regardless of whether or not he/she scores. If he/she has the ability to score a game winner, it most likely speaks to the child's dedication to practice and focus (not easy as a youngster). A child like this is a budding leader. Someone who puts in the work and knows that it isn't about what you wish for, its about what you work for. This child is most likely looked at as a leader. Not always, of course, but I'm painting with a broad brush here, as we must in these kinds of conversations. Its your job to make sure that kind of ability doesn't go to your kid's head, though.
A leader is more likely to be held up as an example by his/her peers, such that when he/she shares or helps clean up or brushes his/her teeth without being asked, or undertakes some similar action, his or her peers and siblings will see that and say (most likely to themselves on a very subconscious level) "I should do that too."
It seems to me that responding to this survey is tough, because all of those things would make any of us proud. But to me, personally, I am most proud of my son when he earns the respect of his peers through his actions. Not just an individual action that stands out in time, but an ethic that, when nurtured from the first, can help bring depth to his environment (classroom or practice field) for all of his peers.
It was from that context that I chose my response.
Additionally, I think that the guy who was talking about "trading" had his heart in the right place, but perhaps he just didn't really think his response through. In any event, his kid is probably NOT ever going to be the one scoring a game winning goal in any team sport. On the other hand, his kid might be great at individual sports.
"A weak body commands. A strong body obeys." –Socrates
I am going to champion the
I am going to champion the "score a game winner" response from more than a simple snort, scratch and spit alpha male angle.
It seems to me that it is our job to not only nurture and encourage emotionally aware, emotionally intelligent children, but strong, active individuals who not only are willing to lead by example but who can inspire their teammates and classmates. On an individual basis, the simple act of sharing without encouragement is awesome! Seeing that fills me with pride, no doubt about it. But from a broader point of view, I would love it if my child's selfless sharing was a motivation or example for his classmates to do the same. Now lets be honest - adult or child, we are motivated by those we look to as leaders. Whether a parent, a teacher, a friend, a peer or what have you, we look to those we respect as examples of how to live.
Now lets think about this a bit more. If your child is in the position to score a game winner, it means his or her coach and teammates have faith in him or her. That's pretty heavy right there and inspires pride regardless of whether or not he/she scores. If he/she has the ability to score a game winner, it most likely speaks to the child's dedication to practice and focus (not easy as a youngster). A child like this is a budding leader. Someone who puts in the work and knows that it isn't about what you wish for, its about what you work for. This child is most likely looked at as a leader. Not always, of course, but I'm painting with a broad brush here, as we must in these kinds of conversations. Its your job to make sure that kind of ability doesn't go to your kid's head, though.
A leader is more likely to be held up as an example by his/her peers, such that when he/she shares or helps clean up or brushes his/her teeth without being asked, or undertakes some similar action, his or her peers and siblings will see that and say (most likely to themselves on a very subconscious level) "I should do that too."
It seems to me that responding to this survey is tough, because all of those things would make any of us proud. But to me, personally, I am most proud of my son when he earns the respect of his peers through his actions. Not just an individual action that stands out in time, but an ethic that, when nurtured from the first, can help bring depth to his environment (classroom or practice field) for all of his peers.
It was from that context that I chose my response.
Additionally, I think that the guy who was talking about "trading" had his heart in the right place, but perhaps he just didn't really think his response through. In any event, his kid is probably NOT ever going to be the one scoring a game winning goal in any team sport. On the other hand, his kid might be great at individual sports.
"A weak body commands. A strong body obeys." –Socrates