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March 25, 2006
soccer mom beginnings
Willik had his very first soccer practice and game this morning, at 9 am.
He'd been excited about it, and so was I, being from brazil, soccer is in your blood, even as a woman. The whole family woke up early, including Fabio, and my sister, who was sleeping over to join us this morning, and we made our way to join the Woodhaven Soccer Club.
If you were out in New York the last few days, you know that it's been pretty nice, reaching into the 50s this week, and I walked around with only a sweatshirt, but boy, was today different. It was cloudy and windy, and probably in the 30s, and freezing. Most parents were saying "this is crazy" as kids attempted to play, with winter jackets on, covered by the team colored shirts over it. It was indeed just one part of the craziness.
If you know Willik, you know that he is a perfectionist already; he's very happy when he's good at something right away, but if something is a bit more challenging, he's usually quick to give up trying. We've been encouraging him to try, but not with much success.
So, you could imagine what it was like, as halfway into the game, he started to cry, and wanted to stop playing. He'd been running around, like the other kids, chasing the ball, sometimes getting to touch it, but in his mind, he wasn't doing very well...
He thought:
1) that he'd lied, because he hadn't scored a goal yet, and he'd told us he was going to.
2) that since he'd fallen, and got "run over" that he wasn't doing good.
3) that since he wasn't in control of the ball at all times, that he didn't want to play cause it was "too hard"
We, on the other hand, thought he was doing really well, because he was actually chasing after the ball, when some kids were just standing there, not moving at all. We were also really proud of how he kept going after it, even when he wasn't the quickest, or the most powerful one.
When half time came around, both me, my sister and Fabio really tried to encourage him, even after he'd gotten a bit hurt, that he should keep going, and that he was doing great. We told him that everyone was still learning, and that all this was what soccer was all about. Team effort, and trying something that you aren't perfect at; and that we were proud of him for continuing, and that it didn't matter what he scored or didn't score, that we still loved him, no matter what. Phoenix, when he wasn't running around chasing his own mini soccer ball, was also cheering for Willik. It was so cute! :)
It was hard to keep telling him to go on, even as he was crying, saying he didn't want to do play. I think it was a stretching time, as a mom, to let it go, and realize that letting him suffer a little now, meant less suffering later on; if you never try hard at anything.
I had to keep reminding myself that being good at everything all the time doesn't just happen, and that those hard times come, when we struggle to learn something new; it's a huge part of our existence on earth.
Well, by the end, he was having a good time. He didn't become a star, and he's still unsure about how great this soccer thing is, but he kept on. He got better, and he didn't fall as much, and most of all, he didn't quit!!! We were soooo PROUD!!!!
When asked what he wanted to do to celebrate, to eat, he said he wanted to go to the restaurant where the man cooks in front of us, so we went to Benihana's-- a japanese hibachi grill restaurant. It was a good family time!
Fabio should probably write his take on it as well. It was amazing to see the effects of his words on Willik, as opposed to mine. Dads are so important!! And Fabio is such a great one!
The pictures are courtesy of my sister, Raquel, who helped us out with the "recording of the occasion" as Fabio and I were too busy taking in all the soccer issues, or chasing after Phoenix, playing his own soccer game. Thanks Rock!
Posted by glassgirl at March 25, 2006 11:32 PM
Responses
What a new experience in parenting! I'm so glad we didn't let him get away with quitting. It was a critical moment in his life that would have set a bad standard for all the difficult times in his life.
Posted by: Fabio at March 26, 2006 11:23 PM
Great pictures! I can see how Willik might not be so thrilled with the mayhem that is soccer in this age group. I think Pheonx will not have a problem with being rough once he reaches the age. I really like that picture of Phoenix doing the kick. :)
Posted by: Pops at March 28, 2006 11:53 AM