Kids...(sigh)

I love people.

I love my parents.

I love my other family members.

I love friends and my students.

I love my wife.

Each of these groups have a different type of love, some more deep than others and some in ways I cannot explain.

But my kids...(sigh)...I love them in a way that is hard to explain and even comprehend.

Sure, they can drive me crazy, but I would not hesitate to give my life for them and if something were to happen, it would not be a good thing...at all.

Why is it that we live our lives with our children like they are going to be little forever?

Like they will listen to our words forever?

Like they will respect and do what we want forever?

The bottom line is that we have a very short time to prepare them for the world.

They are born and it is probably around 3 or 4 when they begin to understand a little bit of life, and we probably have them until they are 14 or 15 if we are lucky.

So you about a decade to love your children and teach them to avoid the obstacles, pot holes, and land mines of this world.

You have about a decade to help guide them and teach them how to bounce back from the inevitable failures they will encounter either by them or the people they love.

You have about a decade to love them in a way that they will know when they face an obstacle, a pot hole or a land mine, they can return to you to have their backs.

If you do a decent job, you will have them around for longer than 0-18 years.

But never, ever take for granted hugging them, kissing them, and telling them you love them.

They may not get it or completely understand until they are older, but love them and they will love you back.

My Time Here at SC in Sectional Ships

(2014)

(2015

(2016)

(2018)

(2019)

It Never Gets Old...

Thanks to Coach Brandon Hoffman for allowing me to be part of the ride. We have won 5 sectionals in the 6 years I have helped at Silver Creek and the only game we lost was in overtime. Great kids and great coaches make it thoroughly enjoyable for me and my family.

13 Ways in Approaching Coaches about More Playing Time

Some pointers for parents who want more playing time for their child in any given sport.

Dos:

1. Put in extra time off the court, you are not at practice, so you cannot know what's going on there, but if you put in extra time off the court, you can see where improvements are made.

2. Schedule a face to face with the coach some time away from the game so that emotions aren't involved.

3. Volunteer to coach at a lower level so you can see how hard it is to be "fair" when it comes time for you to watch, and then understand that when your child is playing.

4. Realize that this season will too end and unless the coach is being physically or emotionally abusive (coaching is neither) your child will learn a lot and be ready for the next coach.

5. If you are more than one season into a career, your child may not be being picked on, but it may be obvious to everyone but you that she is just not that good.

6. Include your child in the meeting the "don't say anything to ______ because he doesn't know I'm here and wouldn't like it" is weak. Get everyone on the same page, or stay away.

Don'ts:

1. Never say it's not about playing time...it always is. You may believe it is not, but it is, be honest with yourself.

2. Do not text or email...meet face to face or over phone. Tone can never be measured through the written word here and either side can get angry real quick over perceived tone.

3. Do it as least emotional as you can, so don't approach immediately after a game or in a hostile manner.

4. Do not stand for anyone else to approach the coach. This absolutely does not go over well.

5. Other people rarely ask why your child doesn't play more because that would require him playing over their child. Admit that you have complained and someone was being a good friend and agreed with you even if they didn't actually agree with you.

6. You are not a practice, not all players are treated equal (cost-benefit analysis for sure), so refrain from personal attacks on the coach.

7. Stay off social media with your complaints, it's embarrassing to you and to your child. It gives others with axes to grind to comment, and you would not like it if were happening to you or your child coaching.

Whether you agree or disagree with the coach, at the end of the season thank them for taking so much personal time away from their family and friends to try and instill values into your child.

The amount of money paid for any coaching position (sometimes $0) does not account for the time and efforts put into coaching and dealing with all of the issues they deal with.

How to Be Successful at Anything in 5 Steps

1. You must be willing to give up something to get what you want.

2. You must be willing to push through pain and discomfort to get what you want.

3. You must be willing to receive help to get what you want.

4. You must put in the time to get what you want. (See #1 and #2).

5. You must be give everything you have risking heart breaking failure.

Failed that Quiz

You know, I have a set of ideals I try to live by and many people think they may be unattainable, but I don't.

They are harder than the average person, I am sure, but they are nothing out of the realm of possibility of happening.

But I fail often and though it may feel good to do so sometimes, ultimately, I feel badly.

I feel badly because I am trying to be a good example for many especially when hostile situations occur.

The other night, I reacted in a way I am not proud of.

I reacted in a way that probably deserved the way I reacted, but not with the words I used.

I believe in righteous anger, I think some of my reaction was done because of that, but I should have chosen different words.

People may say bad things about me, they may think bad things about me, and I don't really like it, but I understand it can happen; however when someone attacks those close to me, I see it as something to horrific that it must be confronted.

But there's a better way than I did the other night.

And I feel such a hypocrite.