I know what you’re thinking, she can’t play soccer…
Well, you’re right, I haven’t played a game of soccer since I was probably seven years old. However, recently I signed my son up for our local soccer league. Since my son goes to school in the next town over to go to French immersion, we are not very connected to the local families. So, I thought this would be a great way to get him out and make friends.
Now, my son is my whole world, but he is so, so difficult to motivate. I had signed him up pre-COVID to the kid’s baseball team, and he HATED it. He would sit on the sidelines and play in the sand, barely engaged, and throw a fit whenever asked to participate.
This went on for the whole season, his coaches and teammates were amazing and tried so hard to help him feel included, but I swear if there was an award for grumpiest player, he would’ve been it. I don’t encourage quitting, though, so I made him stick with it.
On the last day of that baseball season, there was a pizza party and each kid got a lite medal. So, my boy changed his tune and decided that he LOVED baseball.
Kids, right?
Well, this year’s soccer thing has been very similar. My socially anxious, very non-competitive little one has decided that he also hates soccer. He has missed a couple of practices because of the overlap with his swimming lessons, and had one very public meltdown during one practice.
This week, we were attempting to give it another try. Bribed with a piece of cake in exchange for a good attitude, we marched over to the soccer field.
Yet even with the bribe and bright sunny day(finally), my son would not leave my side. He was begging me to turn around and take him home. I held firm.
Then, thankfully, the coach came over and talked to him directly. She asked what drill he would like to do and brought him over to be with his teammates.
My boy's whole little attitude changed. Because the coach had taken an interest in him, he came completely out of his shell! He actually participated and talked with the other kids. He even said he enjoyed himself!
This got me thinking, sometimes all you need is that one person to make all the difference. One person to break you out of your comfort zone, and to believe in you. I have often felt those waves of grumpy attitudes, and defeatedness. Sometimes all you need is to hear one person tell you that you have what it takes, you can go out there and do whatever you need to do.
In all of my accomplishments, there has been that person behind me pulling me out of the dark days. That one person pushing me through. Whether it is my mom, my sister, my best friend, boyfriend, or even my wild little son. I am always so grateful for all the support I have received; I like my son often need that push to keep going. But like any mama bear, I am so much more grateful for all the people who support my son. It makes a huge impact on him.
He has even decided to give soccer another chance!
