"Men are made stronger on realization that the helping hand they need is at the end of their own arm" -Sidney S. Phillips

"I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end"
 - Larry Bird

From something teeny tiny to something gigantic, as a parent we are faced with issues, problems, concerns when it comes to raising our kids. But, when we see our kids struggling, hurt or upset, how do we do the right thing? How do we stand firm to what we know is good and right and will eventually make them a better, stronger adult?

I'm going to admit this right up front....I'm feeling like a hypocrite!!  I don't believe in the participation trophy...you have to work hard and persevere to win...right? 

Here's the thing, my son has been trying out for some pretty competitive baseball teams for next spring (his cozy little team that he had been with for a few years had come to an abrupt end)  and despite all I know and believe I really just want him to be handed a fabulous spot on a fabulous team.  He's an awesome player, he'll dive flat on his face to catch a ball, he runs like lightening (he didn't get the nickname Wheels for nothing), he hits the ball...most of the time...when he's not in a slump, his parents are easy to get along with and he has the most even temper of anyone I know (on the field anyway) .....he's perfect !!! 

So my core beliefs are being put to a real test.  We all feel our kids are perfect and deserving (for the most part)!

As a parent and the child we experience countless "firsts" with our children....

This is truly the first time he's ever really wanted something and may not get it.
This is the first time he's realized his small size is setting him at a disadvantage. (He's quite short for his age)
This is his first experience at having to consider a plan B
This is his first experience of 2 steps forward 1 step back


Maybe it seems so hard for me to watch because this is my kid that crawled at 6 months, walked at 9 months, spoke at 10 months and by 2 years was making you feeling like you were dumb...... he never had to to try for anything....
I knew this day was coming.....

Like Larry Bird said above, "give 100% all the time and somehow things will  work out in the end" - I know this is true but why  is it so much harder when we are talking about our kids?

If this team doesn't work out, or that team doesn't work out...maybe GOD has a different plan. Why is that so much harder to swallow when it's our kids?

Embrace your challenges....My son is genetically small, what if he never has the power to hit one out of the park? Why is embracing our kids challenges harder than embracing our own?

I know all this stuff I speak of seems so petty in this giant world we live in and that I'm sounding like bit of a cry baby .... but its all relative, it is real, and it's all part of raising kids. Despite how I sound I do know it's not the end of the world and do fully intend to use all of this as an awesome teaching moment ..............

Hey, if Primo we can do, we can do it too, right! This is where we dig deep, work hard, believe in ourselves and our character will shine through-

HARD WORK: "it's blood, sweat, and sometimes tears"  (bob hayes)

Life.... it's a beautiful thing!