Good morning!
My home is clean.
I’m showered and ready to start the day.
It’s beautiful outside, and I hear we’re supposed to get thunderstorms later. (I love those!)
Listen. If you’re getting sick of hearing Baseball talk, you can click the X above and skip all of this, but if not – then let’s talk about it.
My little dude (Elijah) had a game the night before last and last night.
The game the night before last, he did amazing.
It was an away game at another school.
The other team was winning.
So, when Elijah was up to bat, and he cracked the ball half way across the field, and ran – parents and his team on our side all cheered, and we were all so excited! 😊
He smiled when he got to 1st base, and I smiled because I knew he was happy and proud. He always says he sucks, but I always remind him this is his first year playing on a team and not just for fun, so he’s not going to be perfect.
I don’t expect him to be perfect.
This isn’t the major leagues!
I’m not one of those moms who take it seriously.
I want my kid to go out there, give it his best and still have fun / enjoy it.
Nobody is coming to recruit your kid to their team for college or professional ball right now. If you’re one of the moms or dads who lose her mind over your kid not making a good play, or decision on the field, calm down! If you’re one of those moms or dads, have a beer or something after – but don’t take it out on your kid!
I understand that some parents feel like they’re preparing their kids for continuing this sport well on into high school and beyond but worry about all that when they’re teenagers in high school – or beyond.
My son said yesterday – that one of the coaches yelled at his kid in the dugout – in front of the team – because he was goofing off on the field.
My son said the kid cried – in front of the team. He was hurt. He was embarrassed. I don’t blame the kid.
And let me tell you…..
The game the night before last – when my son ran to 2nd base, some mom from the other team started screaming at one of the kids on the field, “You could have caught that! What are you doing? Pay attention!”. She was angry that my son hit 2nd base and the player chasing the ball – didn’t catch it before my son hit 2nd.
Calm down, homegirl! You’ll survive! 👀
Your team might lose, but you’ll survive. (I say that with humor), but damn. I can’t understand for the life of me – why parents take this so seriously when these kids are young and should just be enjoying themselves out there.
I don’t believe in putting all that stress and pressure on kids to be perfect in a sport, as long as they’re trying and giving it their all. 🩵
I’m NOT okay when I hear a parent, coach or someone who should be encouraging a kid – going off on them, making nasty comments, making them cry over a sport, or putting them down.
If I would have heard the coach yelling at his kid over the game and saw the kid crying, I would have said something – because that’s unnecessary!!!
I don’t want to hear all of that “It’s not your business” mess – because when it comes to protecting another child’s feelings – I’ll make it my business!
I asked my son if that same coach had ever yelled at him, and he said no.
I’ve seen coaches from other teams screaming at the kids they’re supposed to be coaching / encouraging, etc. and I’m so grateful that our main coach is quiet, calm, encouraging.
Anyway – the first game the night before last was beautiful.
My son made it back to the home plate, and the cheers for him were wild and so awesome. 💕
When he entered the dugout – his team wrapped him in a group hug, jumped up and down, patted his back and they all tapped the top of his helmet……more like banging on it – he says, but it was the cutest thing.
Everyone was so happy.
Another boy after him scored and we ended up winning.
Take that – Ms. Serious mom from the other team!
I wanted to look at her and be like:
VICTORY DANCE!
Again, I’m just being funny, but stop taking your kids games seriously if they’re 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Give them a break and you should just be having fun as well, and be happy that they’re not in the streets causing trouble and getting arrested.
So, we won the night before, and last night – we lost.
And – that’s okay!
It drives me crazy when someone talks down to or talks about a child and what they could have done better in a sport, rather than just encouraging them and helping them get better.
I absolutely love the coaches and parents who yell, “That’s okay! You’re doing great. Better luck next time. You got this! Shake it off, it’s okay! Nice try!”.
My son ran up to me after the game yesterday and said they lost. I told him it’s okay, and reminded him of the win the night before.
He said he didn’t do good because he didn’t hit any of the balls. I told him not many of our kids did yesterday. They played an older team I believe and that older team was really good.
I told my son not every day is going to be a win. Not every day is going to be cracking the balls across the field like he did the night before, and that’s normal. I told him he tried his best, and he played a good game. 🩵
That’s how it should be!
When we encourage these kids in sports, they’ll know they can make mistakes, have bad days, bad games, and still know that we love them and we’re proud and that there’s no negativity if they don’t do their best on certain days.
It’s a game! These kids are young. Colleges and the big leagues aren’t coming to their games to scout them right now, so chill out!
****
In other news, I was planning a cute 18th birthday for my youngest daughter (who turns 18 next month), and I mentioned to a few of her friends that I’d be having something for her.
I said I’d let them know.
I mean – 18 is a huge milestone that has to be celebrated, right?
My daughter messaged me while I was out this week, and she asked why I told some of her friends that she was having an 18th birthday.
She was NOT happy about it and said she doesn’t want a party. She made it so clear, and she said there’s a few places she wants to go on her birthday but absolutely does not want a party.
Last year for her 17th, we went wherever she wanted to go, and I got her a Sash and crown to wear, but this year – upon not wanting a party, she also told me she doesn’t want a sash and crown.
I told her it’s her 18th, and that’s huge.
Still, I guess I have to respect her wishes, right?
It sucks when kids get older and start clearly stating what they want and don’t want, and no matter what you want to do for them, give them or how you think things should go – you have to honor their wishes sometimes and go with the flow.
I want her to be happy on her 18th, and the places she wants to go – are simple, so that’s what we’re doing for her birthday.
I guess it’s easier on me as well because it’s less money than a big party, and it’s less stressful from not having to plan a big party, so I should be thrilled that she doesn’t want one.
I can’t believe I’ll have another adult child next month, and then – there’s only 8 more years until my little dude turns 18, as he’ll be 10 in November.
Time needs to slow the hell down.
My daughter is turning into her own person now, and she’s finding who she is and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She’s becoming more independent, and she’s so ready to get a job and have her own money.
I am so proud of her!
She has also learned how to play around with ChatGPT, so apparently, we went to Puerto-Rico, and I have a boyfriend. 🤣
The trip we never took.
Plus – the boyfriend that doesn’t exist. He’s cute though, isn’t he? ha.
She makes me giggle when she creates and sends me these fun photos, and I joked with her yesterday that now I kind of want to find a boyfriend and travel to Puerto-Rico. ❤️🤔❤️
My darlings.
I hope you have a beautiful day.
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🍵Shel🍵