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Friday, April 28, 2006

Firing It Up On The Field


So Emily is in T-Ball as you all know. She's had 2 games so far. I am very proud of her playing. We've been throwing a ball back and forth, and she's getting more confident, and improving in catching, retrieving and throwing skills. But when it comes to actual games, I am the Soccer Mom From Hell....at least that's what Hubby seems to think....

At the games, these kids are in La-La Land. They don't pay attention, they play with the rocks, grass, etc. Then there's the ones who pay attention ad nauseum. There is one little boy on Emily's team who I seriously want to bean for trying to be the "All-Star". He HAS to be anywhere the ball goes in the field, and often steals opportunity for the other players to try and throw, etc. because he just about tackles the ball. He has also, on 2 occasions, tried to push MY daughter out of her assigned defense spot. Once on 3rd Base, and once in the outfield.

Now maybe it's because I played organized spots in a different time, but that is not cool with me. I am a mother who wants her child to excell to the best of her ability, and I'll be damned if I am gonna let some punk ass 5-year-old whose parents don't discipline him get in her way. So I have taken to making sure I am watching him and making sure he knows it, during the games.

I also make sure to remind Emily what to do when she's out on the field, because, she's still a little unsure, but that's ok. She listens to me. If I yell "Get the ball! Throw it to first!" She does it. If I tell her to "RUN EMMY RUN!!!" She does it!! Why is that bad? I am trying to teach her what to do. Hubby told me that she is depending on me to tell her what to do, and that she'll never learn if I keep chiding her on. My thought is that she'll never learn because no one is telling those kids what to do, except the ONE coach, who clearly cannot be on all sides of the field at once. But anyway....

I am going to continue to help Emily. She actually has some skill in this, and it makes me proud, because I know she isn't the most co-ordinated in physical movements. So this is great for her. I know her confidence in physical activity has soared since this has started. And it makes me feel like I am in the "good parent mode" when she does well, gets excited about T-Ball, and tries her best for it.

Oh and yesterday when that little ball stealer tried to overtake Emily's opportunities? She grabbed the ball back or wrestled it from his hands. I couldn't have been prouder. Now if only she would be confident like that with her sister.....

4 flame(s) added to the fire:

jeopardygirl said...

Hey, help her out at home, don't just yell at her at the park. It's just T-Ball, it's supposed to be fun, and only slightly competitive, not professional calibre playing. She's only four. If you teach her how to do stuff at home, she'll learn to master it before you're yelling at her from the sidelines at the ballpark, which will improve her self-esteem and make the coach glad you're there instead of disgruntled.

Dr.John said...

I am with your hubby on this one. Just let her play and enjoy the game.It is after all just a game.

Anonymous said...

For the love of Pete, stop yelling at her and making her feel more inadequate.

Cissa Fireheart said...

Well it seems I am the bad guy in everyone's eyes again. I seriously need to reconsider keeping a blog anymore, or rather writing about my kids, which is essentially MY ENTIRE LIFE.

At least 2 of you had the courage to leave your name with your constructive criticism.

Jeopardygirl - and I quote from the first paragraph "I am very proud of her playing. We've been throwing a ball back and forth, and she's getting more confident, and improving in catching, retrieving and throwing skills." And she's 5, not four. Also the coach has thanked me on several occasions for helping out with keeping the kids focused during games.

Dr. John - I have been trying to refrain from being too "bossy" the last game. But I don't think she's too upset about things. she always says she is glad I go to the games.

Annoymous - You obviously have never been to a multi-field facility with hundreds of kids and adults moving about. It's loud. If you don't raise your voice, the kids aren't going to hear you. Especially when I am yelling and clapping at the top of my lungs "WOOO EMMY!!!!GOOD JOB!!" So why don't you have the balls to sign your name? Maybe because you think you are a better parent? I am willing to bet you aren't.

Mimi - Yeah, Kaity's the punk. but she's at least starting to apologize when I tell her to. And Emily is gaining onfidence and standing up to her. That's a plus, and I think it will get better as they get older.



Yes, this is only a game, and my child has yet to tell me she isn't having a good time. I apparently worded my post wrong, and you all think that I don't cheer my child or the other kids on, or use a beratting tone when yelling for her to run, or where she needs to throw the ball. These kids are ages 4-6. They still have short attention spans. Several other parents, including the coach, also use a loud voice to make sure the kids are aware of what's happening and what they are doing, or where they need to go. I am not the lone parent out there doing it.