I was hoping that I could add an addendum to yesterday’s blog and say that I was wrong and the boys won their game…it almost happened. They had a great game, pulling ahead after a seven run deficit, but in the end, they could not pull out the win.
The boys, who ranged in grades from fifth graders to seventh graders all dealt with the loss differently. A few of them, along with my own son Drew, got angry and expressed themselves by slamming their helmets on the ground and storming out of the dugout. Drew has never been known to be the best sport. It is something we are working on with him. Some of the boys were brought to tears. I am not sure if it was the excitement of the game and being so close to a win or the ending of the season that did it. It was heartbreaking to see them in tears. There were a few who it didn’t seem to phase at all.
I don’t know what is the best or worst way to deal with it. While I don’t like that Drew can be a poor sport, his passion for winning is so evident. He is very hard on himself and blames himself and puts himself down if he has a bad game. He is his own worst enemy. Instead of focusing on what he did well in the game, he perseverates on the mistakes he made instead. He just can’t let it go. Sadly, I think he gets that from me.
The good thing is that he doesn’t take it out or blame his teammates. In fact, he is the loudest one out on the field cheering on and directing his teammates. I always say that where he lacks in size, he makes up for in his loud, exuberant voice! You can’t miss it. Hopefully someday, he will be able to take that passion he has out on the field and be less and less frustrated with himself as he gets older. We will help him work on this because as parents, it is our job to instill and build up positive traits in our kids. If we can do that, we are helping him to become not only a better good sport, but a good person overall.
A Project for Kindness 