Sports have always come easy to my children. This has been true especially for BoBo. I have fond memories of a friend who provided me with prenatal massages during my pregnancy and labor; she used to rub my large belly and say, “Basketball; I see lots of basketball in this boy’s future.”
And it was true. Not only was there basketball (LOTS of basketball), but there was soccer, baseball and football too. BoBo always approached an athletic challenge with 100% effort and confidence. Tom and I encouraged him in sports and used it as an analogy for how to approach life. Practice to do well.
Through the years we have tried to instill in our children good values. It is important to reinforce these valuable lessons by being a good example. Striving for success is one of the many lessons I have tried to teach by example. Strive for success in whatever it is that you decide to do.
I know that my children have seen me put in the hard effort and dedication in my marathon training. They know my goal of qualifying for Boston. They know that it is not a goal that will come easily, but it is a goal that I truly believe is “possible.”
Over our kitchen table is a framed poster that was brought back from the Boston Marathon by my friend Natazha. On the top it says, “Some finish lines mean more than others; it’s What Happens at Boston.” On the bottom it says, “Impossible is nothing.” I believe.
I believe in trying even when you “might” not make it…. because you just might make it. So why is my son afraid to try out for the Basketball Team at school? Is he afraid of failure to make the cut? This is not my boy; my boy isn’t so afraid of failure that he won’t even try. Please BoBo, please come back and kick this imposter out of our house.
Maybe Conor is afraid of what other kids might say to him if he doesn’t make the cut. I’ve seen that with my kids. Kids can be really mean to each other.
As kids get older, there is more pressure to perform. Things like “Everone gets a trophy day” tend to go away. I tried out for basketball when I was a freshman in high school and didn’t make it. Those that did were merciless to me. Could be your son is afraid of what the other kids would say.
I have raised three of these guys through sports and especially basketball, all you can do is encourage and be positive, they’ll make the right decision. On the other hand, tell him we all said to go for it!
Well, it’s too late for basketball, but he will tryout for soccer.
He, and the coach, will decide if it’s a good fit by December 1st.