Parents are competent thinkers, you are not alone

October 1, 2011: Week Three: Parents are competent thinkers, you are not alone

Okay, so remember how I mentioned last week that parents were pleasantly relaxed? Well not so much this week. There was one parent in particular that certainly was absorbed and became a nuisance to everyone. Her daughter feared playing the first two weeks, sobbed through the entire hour, and kicked up her heels in refusal to play. This is quite understandable; she is five years old after all.

Today this little girl was driven to participate since one of the coaches boosted her up and placed her onto the field. She chose to chase after the ball and unexpectedly scored a goal. The ball shot directly into the opponent’s net. Everyone thought it was adorable and just chuckled. So, she scored a point against her own team but it wasn’t a big deal. Until her mother made it one that is.

This mom is typically pretentious and irritating when she speaks. The air carries her voice like the piercing toot of a thunderous train approaching. My ears ached. I thought it was commendable that she praised her daughter for generating the goal while concealing the fact that it was for the opposing team. The girl’s face lit up, sparkling like a shiny star on a clear night, and she was developing a strong–willed determination to give it her all. She was genuinely enjoying herself. It was a pleasure to see her involved and confident especially after witnessing her whimpering for the first two weeks. It truly IS all about the kids. So I and other parents alike were pleased. Although we were down one point, that didn’t matter much.



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However, her mother made a spectacle of herself regarding her daughter’s goal. She stridently boasted about how her daughter scored, and screeched across the field to her daughter (which is discouraged by coaches and mentioned in the rules as a “do not”). She approached parents demanding that the situation not be revealed to her daughter. Not one parent had that thought in mind. Doing so would crush the little girl’s spirit, don’t you agree? Why would any parent want to discourage a five year old from succeeding?

Her mom felt that it was her obligation to explain to every parent, in a child–like manner, that her daughter’s discovery of this fact must be prevented at all costs. For the remainder of the game she was quite obnoxious, theatrical, and excessively prideful. I understand that as a parent you are delighted that your child does well and chooses to participate. However, do not underestimate the intelligence of others please. We are all well aware that this piece of information should not be disclosed to the child. It is not necessary to loom about attempting to clarify it in such a manner that is insulting and demeaning. Do not patronize other parents please! It is not appropriate and not appreciated. These parents are competent thinkers, you are not alone.  

When I arrived home, I uncloaked the negativity that clung to me from dealing with this mom. I later noticed how this mom was boasting on a particular social networking site about how her daughter scored a goal and was the best player on the team. She exaggerated to the point of creating the illusion that her daughter was ready for a professional position tomorrow. My initial reaction was disgust. And I will tell you why. I really do not appreciate when people lie, even though it may be minimal. It disturbs me.

I am pleased that this little girl came out of her shell; I am content that she gained confidence, and I am thrilled that she will make a great asset to the team. However, I and others were frustrated with her mom. She was nauseatingly prideful, condescending towards others, and fibbed about what actually took place. Give other parents a little credit please.

Then I just laughed and went to my best friend’s wedding.