Thursday, October 09, 2008

spectator sports


Part of being a parent involves being a spectator at numerous events.  The hardest part is often being a good sport and not wanting to get on the field and tackle the child that just lofted your little darling into mid-air.  One area which requires extra patience is that of being the parent of a "goalie."  The pressure is high and one goal can change the atmosphere, in a matter of seconds.  It is certainly not all about the winning and truly all about how you play the game.

Next time you find yourself on the sidelines, focus on the fun, cheer positive things like "good game" and "good sport."  Bring a thermos of something warm and share a cup of cheer.  We could all use a little cheer every now and then.   What is your favorite way to be a good sport and give good cheer?

27 comments:

Miss Cavendish said...

Mr. C was a goalkeeper, which has led to my middle daughter's experience in the nets at age 6. I hold my breath every time she runs out onto the field to trap the ball.

heidi said...

My twin girls went out onto the soccer field for the first time last year. A pair of other girls from preschool whispered to eachother, right in front of them. My girls walked off the field, refusing to go back! Now they do gymnastics and yoga, respectively.

pve design said...

Miss C -
wishing you were next to me on the side lines to share a cup of cheer.
PvE

pve design said...

heidi-
growing up, most of my time was spent in a ballet studio or an art studio and and the sports were left to my brothers. I do think sports should be for everyone and I am sorry to hear about the whisperers. truly some kids can be so mean to one another.
yoga and gymnastics are wonderful.
ommm.
pve

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Thats the most well dressed sporting event I've ever seen -so chic! I've never been much of a sports person -on or off the field really.

pve design said...

be the change-
yes, the art of dressing for sideline comfort should be more than just staying warm. a little fashion never hurt anyone right! we would have lots to talk about during the game.
pve

erika said...

geeez! this illustration makes me long for fall... field hockey days in louisville come to mind. i have no kids so I can't give really great advice... but maybe you could slip a little alcohol in the cooler to take the edge off? we did that at college football games. :) Just don't tell anyone or I bet the other parents would be wanting a drink.

pve design said...

erika,
good idea, a little bourbon perhaps slipped into the hot cider....
pve

Joyce said...

I don't have children, but I'm with you about keeping things positive for the young and old to hear.
When my nephews and nieces were small and even know meet challenges in their lives I want to come out a protect them and tackle the person. I guess one doesn't have to be a mom to have the protection instinct.

rebecca said...

Lol, that made me laugh. I was a goalie when I played field hockey in high school. I think I gave my parents frequent panic attacks. I was also the pitcher for the softball team, which isn't much better. I did enjoy ballet as well during the off seasons.

Your illustration reminds me a lot of the field hockey parents. Gotta love fall sports!

Ina in Alaska said...

Your posting made me think of my Sunday morning tennis group (adults). We have 4 courts of doubles players of all levels from very skilled to "ok". Our mission is to just have fun and encourage one another. No negative comments about someone's skill or lack of....and the coffee and bagels afterwards are very enjoyable

Leciawp said...

Great post, Patricia! (and as always, I love your art!!) This issue you raise is very hard for me, even at the 6 year old level. My husband coaches Abbott's soccer and hockey; here's an excerpt from a recent email to his team:
"The C family will be bringing a bag of lollipops and handing out a lollipop to any of us (coaches included!!) who instructs from the sidelines..." and also "After the game, I hope your questions for your son will be along the lines of "Did you have fun?" and not "Did you win?" If your son says he did not have fun, please send me an email or give me a call. If anyone asks me the score, my answer will be something along the lines of, "435 to 7008." I hope your answers will be similar." (At the U7 soccer level they don't keep score...)

pve design said...

lecia,
I am going to copy that. There is one set of parents who are so incredibly upbeat and positive that all the kids look for their enthusiasm....which is infectious.
thanks for the positive vibes...
pve

annechovie said...

Patricia~ I love the way your sketches are very fluid and you can feel the action in them. You are a great sport's mom and it's hard to imagine you tackling anybody on a field - LOL!

Karena said...

Patricia, I so look forward to your latest sketches they are all so very thoughtful!

pve design said...

Anne -
The faster I sketch, the more fluid!
thanks for your kind comments and look forward to meeting you on the turf or surf!
PvE

Emily said...

Very nice post. My children are too young for contact sports, but I remember playing softball as a girl and loved hearing my parents cheer me on, whether I was just tagged out or caught the fly ball. Keep up with your cup of cheer - I'm sure it's catching!

pve design said...

Emily-
funny how a bit of cheer can be so catching!
praise goes a long way...at any age!
PvE

pve design said...

Emily-
funny how a bit of cheer can be so catching!
praise goes a long way...at any age!
PvE

Kwana said...

These are the chicest spectators ever. It's always important to stay positive and not coach form the sidelines. Very dangerous. Too many parents do that. I'm good for the most part. I'm a baseball mom. The toughest is when my boy pitches. That's too much pressure for me. Sometimes I have to just take a walk.

72 and sunny said...

well said to all of us soccer parents!

Rachel said...

I'm sure you are a perfectly behaved spectator! I think the hardest thing about kids games is watching some parents lose their tempers. I'd be happy to share a seat with any of the spectators in your picture!

Tara said...

Patricia

I had so much fun catching up here...just love your illustrations! My soccer strategy: I just clap for everyone. My son's first game when he was 5...he scored a goal in the opposite team's goal and I just clapped (who knew he'd get a scholarship for the same sport?) I clap for everyone because we are all sending our hearts out onto the field, every kid belongs to someone and I think the best part of any sport is learning to work as a team...that is the lifelong strategy that will help you as an adult in work, with your neighbors, etc. My son says team work is helping him get throught art school and a fiend who was on his HS team says it helps him get through business school...life lessons, right?
But listen, if you look as great as your illustration on the sidelines, I would probably stop clapping to ask you where you got that scarf!
:0)
Tara

Capegirl said...

How right you are. My children all played competive sports; ice hockey and lacrosse. My youngest was a goalie-a thankless position. Parents do tend to forget this is not a professional sport and that these are children.

Julia said...

It is so, so hard to keep your cool on the sidelines! I think you gave some excellent advice though :)

Elizabeth said...

Mr.OM's daughter, 12, was a goalie last year. It was difficult not interfering with the other players and refs during the games.

I kept my counsel, though, and didn't do anything. I just cheered for 12 when she blocked attempts.

Lovebird said...

I am loving all of your Fall Illustrations. Perfection!