And the Award Goes to … Not My Child

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And the Award Goes to ... Not My Child - Columbia SC Moms BlogI won’t win any awards for this blog post. And neither will my children.

There’s a lot going around on social media – and just about everywhere else – about the awards ceremonies in our children’s lives right now. They’re all over the place – on the baseball field, in the classroom, on the playground.

Last week, the coach ended my oldest son’s high school football spring game with awards. Several of his teammates got gift cards and accolades for being the most coachable, most improved, best defensive player, etc. My kid didn’t get a gift card, or a pat on his back for juggling his high school classes with 4-day workouts. I watched my child as he knelt on the field with his teammates and thought what a horrible place for him to be in.

Michael got in the car after the game and said (about the awards) absolutely nothing.

But he sure did talk about what kind of pizza we were picking up for supper…

wahoos
Sometimes we have to teach our kids to not take themselves so seriously!

During the championship playoff for our middle son’s baseball league, a team who had been short one player all season took the first of the double-elimination match-up. They won (easily), forcing the second game that we eventually won (just as easily). Parents in the stands were questioning why the opposing team wasn’t forced to forfeit, since they were one short. I sat quietly and thought the other kids were outplaying us even without one position covered, and deserved the chance to claim the title, right?

Aidan got in the car after the game and said (about the possibility of a championship win by way of a forfeit) absolutely nothing.

But he sure was excited about the pool party/celebration the coach was hosting the next weekend…

Our 3-year old twins played soccer this year. Actually, they ran in circles, cried, and often refused to even step their cute little cleated feet on the field.  As the season ended, our team met at the park and the coach literally chased them to hang medals on their necks. The children just wanted to eat the store bought cupcakes and swing. As the twins got in the car, both babies said (about the medals) absolutely nothing.

But they sure did talk about the cupcakes with green icing…

Sometimes all a child really needs is some green icing...
Sometimes all a child really needs is some green icing … and a little encouragement.

The remaining son is our over achiever. He likes awards. He likes getting A’s, and if he doesn’t win he is likely to argue with you about it. When he tried out for the high school baseball team this past spring he didn’t make it. I remember the day they cut him. It was like a movie: he walked to the car in a cool mist, head down, and told me the news. Then he said (about not making the team) something.

He told me not everyone makes the team. Not everyone wins the award. And he was ok with it … he was just going to practice more and get better.

And he’s right.

Somewhere over the past few decades we – as parents – have lost the ability to let our children lose. We want everyone to get the award, everyone to make the team, and we want (no, we demand) each child be treated equally so no one’s feelings are hurt. And we especially don’t want our child to have to sit still while someone else is being told how they have succeeded.

But our children aren’t equal. Some are good in math, others can write really well. Some are incredible on the ball field while others can play a musical instrument. Some are loving and coach-able, and others only care about licking the green icing off the cupcakes. Regardless, we need to encourage them do their best, and if they don’t win, encourage them to keep trying … and trying … and trying.

They don’t all need trophies, medals and certificates … because in life you don’t always get awards. In fact, awards aren’t even given for the some of the toughest jobs out there.

They just need encouragement.

And while it would be wonderful if that encouragement always came in ridiculously large amounts from teachers, coaches and other adults, the truth is that encouragement really needs to come from us.

So, please, let the “awards for all” notion go. Don’t take it upon yourself to change the mindset of a school or sporting league (or society). There are other parents, like myself, who are perfectly happy watching our children lose, and are even willing to share your joy as your child wins.

As far as I’m concerned, my boys deserve lots of awards. Trophies are cheap, so I could easily arrange our own awards ceremony this weekend. But I won’t do that, I think I’ll just go find some cupcakes and pizza instead.

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Lila Anna Sauls
Lila Anna is the happily unbalanced mother of five boys. She is an advocate for homeless families, a recovering triathlete, and a sleep deprived 40-something who doesn’t see her yoga mat enough. She was blessed enough to have three wonderful boys (Michael, 14, Colin, 12 and Aidan, 10) … then, after a seven year break and just as she turned 40, got what she calls her “buy one, get one free babies,” Heath and Graeme (now 3). Once fiercely independent, Lila Anna now relies heavily on the help, kindness and understanding of a very loyal group of friends she calls her “village.” This village allows her to dedicate her heart and time to Trinity Housing and St. Lawrence Place – the non-profit for homeless and at-risk families she leads as President/CEO – all the while managing to run a house full of baseball and football schedules and four different carpools. Lila Anna is passionate about all children, especially those living at risk or in poverty. She treats her St. Lawrence Place children as her own, and advocates for them at the State House, at City Hall, or on any given street corner. Her position at Trinity Housing gives her the chance to give homeless families and their children a voice. She has been a guest lecturer at USC and Columbia College, and has presented nationally on the topics of child poverty, education and family homelessness. She is a native of Springfield in rural Orangeburg County, home of the Governor’s Frog Jump (thus her frog tattoo), and is a graduate of USC with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She got her Master’s from Columbia College in Organizational Change and Leadership, and graduated a few weeks before giving birth to her twins. Her five boys are just like their daddy, “Saint” Brad – fun-loving, even keeled, and incredibly helpful. She enjoys cooking with the help of at least one set of small hands, running (slowly) with friends, and daydreaming about her next trip to Edisto Beach or New York City. One day she hopes to compete in triathlons again in the Athena division (thus her owl tattoo). Most of all, she loves just hanging out with her boys…all six of them. Lila Anna and her boys live in Forest Acres, where they are two blocks from the ballfield and no more than 10 minutes away from everything else. She is happy to share how she embraces her unbalance … and all the fun and love that comes with it.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you! You put into words what I haven’t been able to because I get too emotional about it (especially working in a system where it irks me that teachers plan purposefully to give as many awards as possibly….and some even make sure a child didn’t get that award already in previous years just to be “fair”). Our kids are all unique and gifted in their own ways…some that may never be rewarded and that’s okay. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    • I’m all about building children up…it just doesn’t have to be attached to a trophy. Sometimes a kind word is just as good!

  2. I coached my two sons little league teams for 10 years combined. The only trophy I gave out was when a kid hit his first ball for a hit. I would ask for the ball and mark it “First hit in organized ball”. This year my youngest graduates high school and two of his buddies, former players of mine, came up to me and said they still have that ball I gave them when they were 6…. THAT’S cool.

  3. Lila Anna, thank you for this article. I googled “when my child does not get an award” and you were my third read. As I read, I realized I recognized your name. I was Brad’s neighbor in Liberty, SC on the wonderful Yates Road. What a connection. We live in Greer, SC now. Your words helped a mama who knows her child worked extra hard although no award was given. Thank you. Sincerely, Cary Harris Medlin

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