Me_and_my_big_mouth
witty softball quote
My first post, I think 3-ish years ago? - on DFP was about questionable coaching. We've had our struggles over the years. I think the next couple posts were also coaching issues, so I am no stranger to the typical issues.
DD now has coaches who believe in her. One in particular who has been dedicated to helping her get better. It makes me tear up when I watch them work sometimes - which is so cheesy, but I can't help it. In season's past, she almost stopped playing because her confidence was just shot.
This man has a family of his own, but rain or shine, without fail, he shows up for her to do extra work because he believes - and she knows it. He's tired and stressed sometimes, and I'm sure his wife is a Saint. Yet, here he is for hitting, like clockwork. Patient and encouraging. He says, "If you want to work, I'll be there." DD would break her neck to make sure she gets there, so she doesn't let him down.
Last week, I was watching her struggle during a club clinic with some throwing mechanics that they've been working on, and I could see her getting frustrated. She was falling back into being insecure and tentative about what she was capable of.
Coach was across the building, not participating in the club clinic. He caught her eye and called her over. He talked; she listened. She got back to work - and was back to good.
It dawned on me then. Through all the issues with coaching, confidence, and challenges that she's had with various coaches: she trusts him 100%. She wasn't defensive with him, she wasn't insecure. He's able to hold her to a higher standard because she knows that he believes in her. She can do anything that he tells her she can do, and she will try anything without fear of failure. She's improved SO much in just months because he gives as much as she does. I can't figure out why he is so dedicated, but I'm so grateful that he is. Any time you can see someone else believe in your kid, it's humbling.
Big moment as a parent. Realizing that, when she's digging deep and needing confidence, it will most likely be his voice that she hears. That's a really big deal - becoming part of who a kid is. He's managed to become a voice that says, "You can," while quieting the voices who said, "You aren't good enough."
And for all you out there, giving everything to coach these young women, Thanks. Really. Just thanks. You might not know the impact - because we sometimes stink as softball parents - but it's poweful.
Thank your kid's coach today.
DD now has coaches who believe in her. One in particular who has been dedicated to helping her get better. It makes me tear up when I watch them work sometimes - which is so cheesy, but I can't help it. In season's past, she almost stopped playing because her confidence was just shot.
This man has a family of his own, but rain or shine, without fail, he shows up for her to do extra work because he believes - and she knows it. He's tired and stressed sometimes, and I'm sure his wife is a Saint. Yet, here he is for hitting, like clockwork. Patient and encouraging. He says, "If you want to work, I'll be there." DD would break her neck to make sure she gets there, so she doesn't let him down.
Last week, I was watching her struggle during a club clinic with some throwing mechanics that they've been working on, and I could see her getting frustrated. She was falling back into being insecure and tentative about what she was capable of.
Coach was across the building, not participating in the club clinic. He caught her eye and called her over. He talked; she listened. She got back to work - and was back to good.
It dawned on me then. Through all the issues with coaching, confidence, and challenges that she's had with various coaches: she trusts him 100%. She wasn't defensive with him, she wasn't insecure. He's able to hold her to a higher standard because she knows that he believes in her. She can do anything that he tells her she can do, and she will try anything without fear of failure. She's improved SO much in just months because he gives as much as she does. I can't figure out why he is so dedicated, but I'm so grateful that he is. Any time you can see someone else believe in your kid, it's humbling.
Big moment as a parent. Realizing that, when she's digging deep and needing confidence, it will most likely be his voice that she hears. That's a really big deal - becoming part of who a kid is. He's managed to become a voice that says, "You can," while quieting the voices who said, "You aren't good enough."
And for all you out there, giving everything to coach these young women, Thanks. Really. Just thanks. You might not know the impact - because we sometimes stink as softball parents - but it's poweful.
Thank your kid's coach today.
