A couple of weeks ago I got to do one of my most favorite things
ever—go to a kid’s soccer game. But this wasn’t just any kid’s soccer game. This
was our grandson, Reuben’s first soccer game. And let me tell you, it was quite
the nail-biter. The kids played hard and they played well—especially considering
the fact that they are 5 and 6 years old, and this is their first soccer team
experience. They kicked the ball instead of picking it up…expect that one time.
They passed the ball…sometimes without really meaning to, but hey, it was still
a pass. The goalies stopped an amazing number of balls from going into the net
for a goal, but they missed a few, too.
There were several goal kicks and throw-ins, a few kids who
got tired enough they asked to sit out, and of course that one memorable moment
that reminds us adults that it really is just a game. That moment on this particular
evening was when both teams were within a yard of where I was sitting getting
ready to put the ball back into play. Sitting directly behind me was another
nanna whose granddaughter just happened to be the one getting ready to throw
the ball back in. Well, as any decent nanna would do, she had her phone pointed
toward the action and was snapping a few photos, when said granddaughter picked
up on something totally unrelated to
the game…
“Hey, Nanna! You got a new phone case!”, she said, with a
big smile on her face. Then without missing a beat, as if she’d just done the most
natural thing in the world at a time like that, she threw the ball back into play and went right
on with the game. FYI: Everyone around “Nanna” including me, missed the next few
seconds of the game because we were too busy laughing…and checking out the new
phone case.
Just a game—yes, that’s what it was when talking about who
won and who lost. The final score was 5 to 6. Reuben’s team didn’t win,
but that was fine with me, because the other team deserved their victory. They
worked just as hard for the goals they scored, as Reuben’s team did.
Just a game—that’s what it also needs to be in the hearts
and minds of parents and grandparents. No matter how young or old the child is,
no matter how long they’ve been playing the game, no matter how good they are (or you
think they are), it’s just a game. Even if your kid would eventually go on to be a pro—it’s
just a game, because who your kids are is always
more important than what they are.
Just a game—not so much when it comes to what the kids got out
of it. They got exercise (which is something most kids don’t get enough of
these days), social interaction, and the experience of doing or ‘performing’ in
front of a crowd, albeit a very friendly crowd. They also had the experience of
having to play by the rules, learning how to play as a team, learning to listen
to their coach, learning that winning and
losing are equally important aspects of the game (and life), learning that
there’s room for both criticism and praise in our lives, and that playing games
with your friends (those you already have and those you make) is always a good
idea.
Just a game—not so much when it comes to the message we send
our kids. Are we keeping the main thing the main thing? Do they know the real reasons it’s more than just a game?
In other words, are your words and actions lining up with what the real
take-aways are (see previous paragraph)?
If so, great! If not, take a minute to re-read this post.
Love,
Momma DCopyright 2019 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission from the author.
