More Food for thought
Posted by Michelle Pothier on Thursday, April 12, 2012
If it's true that we only use a small fraction of our brains' capabilities, then thinking more can't be a bad thing!
A coach friend of mine has graciously been linking the status updates of a coach in the US - Todd Burgdorf. It appears that he enjoys writing out his coaching thoughts, and many of his musings are spot on...from parents sending out 'soft children', to marvelling in the unique qualities of children, not trying to hide what makes them different to the taboo subject of 'bribery'. You may not agree with all his ideas, but it does open the dialogue. Want to talk more about these topics? I will print off a copy of each and post on the wall at the side of the gym, grab one, read it in the stands and then talk amongst yourselves. Let me know what you think!
I thought I'd post some of the highlights..
-Thankfully all young athletes are not preprogrammed robots who all do the same thing. Very boring for a coach. Your child is unique. Your child is special. Your child should be allowed, and challenged, to be better with her unique set of qualities.
- In reality, the person who learned the most, progressed the most could have been sitting and watching the awards because she moved from 30th to 15th. The child with the “best meet” could very well have walked away with no awards.
-We can’t allow ourselves to turn out “soft children” into the world. They will get overwhelmed, beaten down, eventually defeated and probably live unhappily. Life is tough. College is tough which is where we usually send them to when the time comes to “spread their wings” and fly on their own. A dependent child will have trouble spreading her/his wings. A pampered child will look around for handouts because that is what they are used to. A “soft” child going out into the world? Children become “not soft” when they are allowed to be challenged and sometimes stumble without Mom and Dad rushing to the rescue. “Not soft” children are allowed to figure things out without someone always giving them the answers. “Not soft” children are allowed to be sad sometimes. Allowed to be frustrated sometimes. Allowed to be confused for a period of time to see if they can figure it out on their own.
- I say no bribing of children for athletic performances as it may take away from all those intrinsic values we want to teach them. I think bribing might work short term but will not be healthy for the long haul. It might also be contrary to what the coach believes and is teaching the athletes on their team.
A coach friend of mine has graciously been linking the status updates of a coach in the US - Todd Burgdorf. It appears that he enjoys writing out his coaching thoughts, and many of his musings are spot on...from parents sending out 'soft children', to marvelling in the unique qualities of children, not trying to hide what makes them different to the taboo subject of 'bribery'. You may not agree with all his ideas, but it does open the dialogue. Want to talk more about these topics? I will print off a copy of each and post on the wall at the side of the gym, grab one, read it in the stands and then talk amongst yourselves. Let me know what you think!
I thought I'd post some of the highlights..
-Thankfully all young athletes are not preprogrammed robots who all do the same thing. Very boring for a coach. Your child is unique. Your child is special. Your child should be allowed, and challenged, to be better with her unique set of qualities.
- In reality, the person who learned the most, progressed the most could have been sitting and watching the awards because she moved from 30th to 15th. The child with the “best meet” could very well have walked away with no awards.
-We can’t allow ourselves to turn out “soft children” into the world. They will get overwhelmed, beaten down, eventually defeated and probably live unhappily. Life is tough. College is tough which is where we usually send them to when the time comes to “spread their wings” and fly on their own. A dependent child will have trouble spreading her/his wings. A pampered child will look around for handouts because that is what they are used to. A “soft” child going out into the world? Children become “not soft” when they are allowed to be challenged and sometimes stumble without Mom and Dad rushing to the rescue. “Not soft” children are allowed to figure things out without someone always giving them the answers. “Not soft” children are allowed to be sad sometimes. Allowed to be frustrated sometimes. Allowed to be confused for a period of time to see if they can figure it out on their own.
- I say no bribing of children for athletic performances as it may take away from all those intrinsic values we want to teach them. I think bribing might work short term but will not be healthy for the long haul. It might also be contrary to what the coach believes and is teaching the athletes on their team.
