Another Mother's Day is upon us and like usual, I spend about a week before hand reflecting on myself as a mother. While my competition schedule isn't nearly what I would like it to be (basically non existent), this past year has been the most exciting in terms of watching my own kids find their athletic passions.
Our view with athletics with the kids has been to let them do what they want. We figured sooner or later they would find their "thing". Worst case scenario they would just like to lift heavy stuff. Cheer? Sure. Gymnastics? You bet. Soccer, flag football (The Girl), tackle football, track, karate, wrestling? Etc, etc. I have to admit, I've struggled with this approach from time to time knowing all too well how kids are specialists at an early age and feeling like my own kids were behind the curve. Wisdom has assured me it would all work out perfectly and as it is supposed to.
This has been the year where they have both found their athletic grooves, understand the importance of strength in athletics and now our expertise is welcomed and has kicked into high gear. During my reflections, I remembered this video from about four years ago. It makes me laugh every time.
What you canNOT see in the video is I had just completed a semi truck pull for about 50 feet, uphill and the truck slowed down on the hill, so I cut it there. What you CAN see in the video is The Girl commenting, "Nice try!" (turn your volume up, it's a riot)
After revisiting this video, some important things occurred to me.
How fantastically awesome that my daughter grew up watching her mom pull trucks, lift and move with heavy weight.
How fantastically awesome it is that something out of the ordinary like truck pulling is so typical to her that the response is, "Nice try." There must have been some type of expectation and my efforts clearly fell short of the bar she had set for me.
There are so many strong mothers out there modeling for their children how to push themselves beyond comfortable, how to be willing to take risks, do the unconventional, pursue a dream and help change the norm of what and who mothers, daughters, sons and husbands can be.
Wishing you a joyous and Happy Mother's Day.