I am an honest mom... are you?
I recently witnessed a horrible soccer match. All the kids on our team were not on their game, as they carelessly floundered across the field in a haze of confusion and lethargy. My son, who typically lights the field on fire with his dominance and outstanding ability to take control of the ball and score most of the goals...
Sucked.
What on earth was going on? My throat hurt from screaming by the end of the game. It was a brutal slaying and a torturing experience to see our team go down without a fight... or at least a coordinated effort that reflects strategy and skill. I was both disappointed and frustrated and it showed in my yelling and my demeanor. I said, "Aw CRAP!" A lot. I hollered over and over again...
"Get your head in the game!"
"Come ON BLUE!!! You can do THIS!"
"What on EARTH?"
"Aw... CRAP."
It wasn't pretty. Neither was I. I wasn't one of "those" parents that can be hideous -- I just wasn't pretty. I was bold, but edited within reason. Of course.
So after the game, us moms who endured this brutal battle with despair and disgust were left defeated and with a heavy sigh, we accepted that this just wasn't their day to be "on."
Then something happened. The moms took this turn toward the positive approach that is both honorable and redeeming, reflecting the true unconditional love of a parent.
I on the other hand, still wasn't happy. I mean, yes, of course our boys are young and in the big picture, who really cares about one soccer game? It's all about "learning and growing and skill building and team work" right? My kid is 8 and plays on a 10-year-old team, and this game was against 11-year-olds. Bigger field, bigger boys, bigger numbers and bigger challenges.
But I believe he could have tried much harder and played much better.
Here's where I constantly live out my role with my kids...
In total honesty. I believe in honest parenting.
As the moms all went to hug their kids and tell them they did great, I didn't. My kid knows I love him more than anything in this world -- but he also knows he will always, always, always get the truth from me.
So as we united and walked to the car, I asked him why he didn't get in there and fight for the ball? I told him that he didn't play hard and he surely didn't give it his best. He knows that is the only thing that matters in these games, not the score or winning -- but *trying his best* -- and in all honesty I told him I didn't see that today.
It wasn't easy.
The ride home was difficult, but my son knows all too well how his mama operates.
I was disappointed with how he didn't "show up" for the game, and the team did not play well. I told him my throat hurt from all the yelling.
He asked, "What were you yelling mom?"
I told him, and he laughed as I repeated the same shrieks of frustration and fitful phrases I belted out on the field.
He gets it. He knows it was a horrible game. He knows I would never tell him something that wasn't true.
And I believe both my kids appreciate this kind of honesty more than any false reinforcement or praise.
You see...
When my kids shine.
Oh do they hear from me.
When they make good decisions, play hard, try hard, work hard, show responsibility, invest in their schoolwork, show kindness and sincerity and compassion, have faith, accomplish hard things, recover from tough situations, give more, show progress or reveal wisdom...
Their mama pours the praise on every detail of the "good."
And they bask in the honest feedback and utter joy of celebrating such beautiful pieces and parts of who they are. I can't tell you how much this pleases me, as I see my kids' eyes light up when I reach deep into their hearts and hold their goodness in the palm of my hands.
They expect the truth from me. Because they know that although sometimes the truth hurts, ultimately it helps.
My kids trust that I will not distort the picture to please them. They believe me when I speak, because they know for certain that what I share is authentic and not masked by ornaments of décor that are deceiving.
I want them to have reality in living... because if I give them anything else, I am betraying the very essence of growth.
On the way to that soccer game, Cade and I talked about the challenge it will be to play against an 11-year-old team, 8v8 and on a much bigger field. I told him all that mattered is that he give his best and what an awesome opportunity this would be for him to step up his game!
He didn't do his best. He didn't step up his game.
And that's what I told him.
He knows it's the truth. And we move on, learning that the next time he steps up his game and does his best --
I will SQUEAL with delight at how well he tried. I will praise him because of his efforts and he will know...
I mean it.
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This post was originally published over at TheMomCafe.com.
Chris Carter is a stay at home mom who blogs at TheMomCafe.com with hopes to encourage mothers through her humor, inspiration and faith. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest.