This past weekend, we were at my son’s hockey tournament in Philadelphia. The concept of traveling for long, sports weekends is new to me…to put it out there my son is 9 years old.
I am always prepared for the actual trip itself. Packing clothing, gear, and snacks is no problem as I am a list maker and thrive on organization.
What I am never prepared for is the chaos. My son loves staying at the team hotel and he loves hanging out with his friends. Typically, multiple teams from different states all seem to end up at the same hotel. Tons of players, parents, and siblings are everywhere.
I love going into a hotel where the rules are set out upon arrival. Rules? Yep. For some reason, when a hockey team arrives waivers and rules are thrown out to you at the front desk. Basic rules….no running, yelling, throwing things over railings. Common sense? To some…but not all. This particular hotel in Philly even had security to help police the kids.
After a long day of tournament games followed by some intense floor hockey, my son and some friends decided it was a great idea to run down the hallways yelling…security nabbed them. Did I try to make excuses or get my son out of whatever consequence was in store? No I did not.
How often do we see parents trying to argue or excuse behavior/action in order to get their kid out of a consequence? I see it often…at the pool in the summer, at a restaurant, at school, in a classroom…the list goes on and on.
My question is what are teaching our children? Consequences aren’t for me? I don’t have to follow rules? I don’t have limits? Are we as parents just too overprotective?
I think letting your child experience the discomfort of natural consequences is a good thing. It allows your child to learn the skills necessary to bounce back from failure or mistakes. Living through consequences teaches your child decision making skills. Think about it.
“It’s all part of growing up” my dad says…and I have to agree…time to own up and grow up!
Life in Snippets 