All Olympics, all the time
Well, with the Michael Phelps saga done, I thought the whole family would be able to sleep earlier than midnight, but the Olympics is truly keeping us up! The boys enjoy watching most of the sports, anything with water being a major draw, and they loved the gymnastics competition. Of course, we don't miss anything about Kobe and the Redeem Team, and I am right there preaching about attitude and good sportsmanship and how hard the athletes work to get to this one day of competition.
On opening night, we allowed the boys to stay up and watch and we were wowed as well as anyone. One world, one dream, indeed! Wonder Boy's comment at the end of it all? "What a wonderful world!" like a mini-Louis Armstrong!
Last night, we watched the interview Bob Costas did with Michael Phelps and his mom, who, it turns out, is a principal back in Baltimore, Md. She was also a single mom with three kids who her son proudly says, lives her passion (teaching and changing childrens' lives.) That's the example he points out as a major factor in his success.
After the "aww" moment, I turned to my boys on the couch and asked, "Boys, what sport are YOU going to compete in in the Olympics?"
"What sport do you want me to join, Mama?" Joseph blithely replied.
Ahh, would that it was all so easy! But I did resolve to be truly conscious of what kind of example I am setting for my kids: when I grumble about housework, will they connect work to drudgery and not something noble? When I complain about the drivers on the road, or raise my voice to them when I'm tired, will they do the same when they're grown-up? And do they see me doing things I love? (Reading, scrapbooking, cherishing family?)
Debbie Phelps said it was hard to see her gangly, awkward son get teased at school for his big ears or to hear his teachers tell her his ADHD will get in the way of his success. Still, they found a way to channel his energy into something positive. (But I noticed she still remembers the bullies and tormentors of her only boy! I think I will be a fiercely protective!) D
Debbie also underlines the stress and nerves every parent feels when they watch their kids compete or do anything, really, where they can get hurt (physically or emotionally).
My sons don't have to win an Olympic medal for me to be proud of them. (I don''t think their Asian genes will allow them entrance into the NBA and the U.S. Olympic basketball team!) But I hope, hope, hope we will enjoy the same, easy, loving relationship Debbie Phelps has fostered with her son. And I pray that at 23, my boys will be as optimistic, hard-working, and humble as Phelps.
I'll always be on the sidelines cheering.
On opening night, we allowed the boys to stay up and watch and we were wowed as well as anyone. One world, one dream, indeed! Wonder Boy's comment at the end of it all? "What a wonderful world!" like a mini-Louis Armstrong!
Last night, we watched the interview Bob Costas did with Michael Phelps and his mom, who, it turns out, is a principal back in Baltimore, Md. She was also a single mom with three kids who her son proudly says, lives her passion (teaching and changing childrens' lives.) That's the example he points out as a major factor in his success.
After the "aww" moment, I turned to my boys on the couch and asked, "Boys, what sport are YOU going to compete in in the Olympics?"
"What sport do you want me to join, Mama?" Joseph blithely replied.
Ahh, would that it was all so easy! But I did resolve to be truly conscious of what kind of example I am setting for my kids: when I grumble about housework, will they connect work to drudgery and not something noble? When I complain about the drivers on the road, or raise my voice to them when I'm tired, will they do the same when they're grown-up? And do they see me doing things I love? (Reading, scrapbooking, cherishing family?)
Debbie Phelps said it was hard to see her gangly, awkward son get teased at school for his big ears or to hear his teachers tell her his ADHD will get in the way of his success. Still, they found a way to channel his energy into something positive. (But I noticed she still remembers the bullies and tormentors of her only boy! I think I will be a fiercely protective!) D
Debbie also underlines the stress and nerves every parent feels when they watch their kids compete or do anything, really, where they can get hurt (physically or emotionally).
My sons don't have to win an Olympic medal for me to be proud of them. (I don''t think their Asian genes will allow them entrance into the NBA and the U.S. Olympic basketball team!) But I hope, hope, hope we will enjoy the same, easy, loving relationship Debbie Phelps has fostered with her son. And I pray that at 23, my boys will be as optimistic, hard-working, and humble as Phelps.
I'll always be on the sidelines cheering.
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