Okay, lets get this out right up frontIve never had any children, BUT if I had been lucky enough to have some, one of the household rules would have been everybody learns how to do certain activities. This would have applied to boys or girls. What types of activities you ask? Well, everyone needs to know how to swim, and it would start early. Next, would come cycling, skiing and tennis. No matter where you go in life one of those would present itself and offer friendship, companionship and camaraderie. I would include golf, but it has become a lazy mans sport, using golf carts and drinking far too much beer to be considered a sport, unless youre the next Tiger Woods, of course. The optional activities would include any musical instrument or academic pursuit that the child was interested in. Kids today are also encouraged to participate in the martial arts, which could easily be added to the list if the child was so inclined. Actually, I think it might not be a bad idea for most children given the condition of schools today. Lastly, TV and video games might play a part in life, but a minute part. Video games have been linked to great mental skills, so they would be okay if they were of a non-violent, non-sexual or non-racist nature. So, how am I doing so far? Think Id make it as a parent? It always looks so easy from the armchair of an observer rather than from that of a participant, but this is one sport (?) that I can only view from the sidelines. But, doesnt it all still boil down to common sense morality? No matter how you look at your childs future, its obvious you cant always make their choices or decisions for them, but you can set a good example by showing them how you decide what is good for you and whats not. The activities we choose in life say a lot about us; kids will learn much about life from the activities they choose and the ones they see their parents participating in. Discipline, responsibility and accountability are among the wonderful attributes sports related activities will instill in your child. Drugs, alcohol and gangs instantly brand you as someone who isnt participating and growing in society as a whole. Your future will be limited, and possibly, very short. If a parent lives a life that their child can emulate well in society; functions on a level to assure success of some nature, and stimulates enthusiasm for life and its possibilities, most any child will see what lies before them with happy passion. At least, thats what we hope for, right? In the end, its one mans opinionmine. |
