Beyond sports Learning life lessons in many different situations
who is also an author and project manager and designer at RC Homes. “Allowing those strengths in each child to shine truly makes their hearts sing. While they will still make mistakes in life, we will always be their biggest cheerleaders.”
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By Melissa Davidson
s a parent you want nothing more for your child than to help them develop into a smart, independent adult. We know organized sports can go a long way in building the skills that set that foundation. But as we head into fall, during one of the most unusual years ever, what if those activities are no longer an option, or you have a child who just isn’t into sports? How can you help them develop those same skills?
Be a good coach “One reason why sports are so successful in building confidence, mastery and problem solving is that there is a coach there,” says Kathryn Tidd, MSW, LICSW therapist at the Village Family Service Center. “They train, mentor and teach. This is where you come in, Coach!” There are endless coaching opportunities between you and your child: plant a garden, play board games, host a family bake-off, or plan out the logistics of a lemonade enterprise. Tidd notes that the most important thing to remember, however, is to talk about it. This is your chance to offer feedback, provide encouragement and help motivate them. “Whether it’s a business idea or sport, we allow our girls to pursue whatever speaks to their heart,” says mom of three Miranda Dietrich, 38
ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | AUGUST • SEPTEMBER 2020
For families with multiple children, these teachable moments also go the extra mile in the life lesson category with plenty of cooperation and compromise learning opportunities.
Problem solve Problem solving ranks high on the most important skills list and rightfully so. There are many ways to solve a problem, and sometimes we just need to shift our perspective to get there. Teaching our kids fluidity and flexibility in how they approach challenges is a great way to help them flex their creative problem-solving skills. On the court, field or ice this may look like working with your team to come up with the perfect play that will dominate your competitor. Day-to-day, this can be anything from STEM games to entrepreneurial endeavors. “Our middle child, Ainsley, decided a few months back to sell DIY lip gloss infused with essential oils and pair them with the ever popular hair scrunchies,” Dietrich says. “We worked together to develop a plan, create a budget and find a way to execute it. Even down to the product label and shipping, she was in charge. It’s teachable moments like these that have allowed our kids to really shine and evolve.” Providing guidance as your child takes ownership over executing an idea is a rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to really see those minds working and growing. It also builds their
