Something that happened a few days ago has been weighing on my mind. I signed Hadley up for T-ball several months ago, and practices started in late May. Anyone that knows my child, knows that she is a bit of a free spirit. Needless to say, she isn’t super focused when playing and requires some additional instruction. I don’t expect her to excel in everything she does, but I want her to find her niche and enjoy those activities.
She had a game Tuesday night at 5:15. Since it was so early on a work day, Andrew wasn’t able to make it. Hadley was super excited, because it was our turn to bring snacks and I found Paw Patrol string cheese that she was ecstatic to share with her teammates. About halfway through the game, I heard a boy on her team utter the words, “Hadley isn’t a good player.” My heart sunk. I immediately went through a range of emotions for about 5 seconds, until the boy’s grandfather corrected him. I’m not going to lie, parenting is the craziest emotional roller coaster that I’ve ever experienced. Everything is deeper – love, fear, excitement, pride, sadness, happiness – everything. Even though I was so upset and hurt by what he said, I probably wouldn’t have responded if the grandfather didn’t correct him.
I understand that kids generally have no filter and say whatever comes to mind. He was just pointing out the obvious. Hadley was talking to me when it happened, so I don’t think she heard. Since that night, I have thought about how I would have explained the situation to her in the case that she did hear him. Would she understand? How would it affect her? Would she want to continue playing T-ball, or try to get better at anything in the future? I’ve realized that I have absolutely no idea, but I also know that this incident is probably just the beginning.
I know that kids can be less than nice, especially as they grow older. Ultimately, I can’t control what other kids do, but I can influence my own to be kind and generous to others. I’m okay with Hadley being a bad T-ball player, as long as she’s nice.
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