Came across this interesting article in The New Paper on 5 Apr 2009.
In short, we should celebrate your children's achievements as long as they have given their best.
1st place or a Gold medal is always ideal, but 2nd or 3rd or even completing the race itself is an achievement too for participating in the competition.
Similarly, I may push my son to study for his exam. but on that day itself, I always tell him that he has prepared himself well and so whatever the outcome, we will still love him as he has done his best. We always wanted him to be assured and calm before he sits for his exam.
Though there is a tendency to ask our children how the exam went when they come home, we now just focus on the next paper as it is over so no point to cry over it.
If he has not done well, it would upset him and he may not focus for the next paper. If he claims that he has done well, he may be over confident for the next paper. So the best approach is to move on and tackle the next paper.
2 weekends ago, Jason ran in the 4x100m relay and the team came in first in their heats but missed the final by 0.2 seconds overall. I told him that it was a good run by the team but it was most unfortunate and just focus on the next run ahead. Luckily, he took it quite well.
Later today, I will be supporting his school soccer team in the final match. Win or lose, a medal is assured. I wished him luck this morning and told him that we are proud of his achievements. We wanted to have dinner with him but he asked to celebrate it with his team-mates instead and we agreed to it.
The school has awarded him a certificate of achievement and a medal too for hiscoming in 7th placing in the Nationals 4x400m relay last year. A very good and encouraging gesture indeed!
So remember to be supportive and celebrate all your children's victories, big or small, or even just the mere participation for exposure to the competition.
Happy Parenting.......!
David
No comments:
Post a Comment