A grandparent’s view from the sidelines
Published 6:00 am Friday, August 9, 2019
I was really enlightened this week as I stood on the sidelines watching my grandchildren practice football.
While I was watching my grandson, Logan, in a scrimmage with his junior peewee team it took me back to the time when my son and his father, Michael, played at the same age.
It was like watching my son all over again because with his equipment on he walked like his dad, ran like his dad, and even hung around the water cooler like his dad when he first started.
I guess really what caught my attention was when my son started reviewing every play ran, why Logan wasn’t in on very many plays, and how he did things the wrong way when he was in the scrimmage.
My mind snapped back to when Michael played and I could hear my voice saying the exact same thing when my son was doing things the wrong way and then I would coach and coach him when he got in the car on the way home and up until he was back on the field again.
But this day was different now that it was my grandson that was playing and I am was viewing the game from a different perspective.
When Logan was enjoying cubes of ice at the water cooler I suggested to Michael to maybe slip around close enough and encourage Logan to go back to the sideline with his teammates.
Then there was the play that was more of a Kodak moment than a discussing point when Logan was playing cornerback and when the wide receiver came out of his stance he put two hands on Logan’s shoulder pads and Logan put both hands on his shoulder pads and they just stood in that position looking at each other as the play went zooming by.
From a dad’s perspective that was one of those, “Come on son get after the runner,” but from a grandparent’s view it was the first memorable moment of the season–one not to be forgotten.
The next point of contention was the fact Logan forgot to take off his brand new school tennis shoes he had just got and when dad noticed it was an immediate return to the car to change into cleats.
Even though dad may have been a little ruffled, old grandpa couldn’t help but chuckle and give Logan a smack on the helmet and tell him to get those cleats on and get back out there big guy.
I guess the whole gist of this week’s chatter is don’t let your child only remember the coaching and voice of frustration of old dad while he is young and just wanting to hear the words, “I’m proud of you son. Great job. Way to be a good teammate. You will get it right the next time,” come from the man that God has chosen to be his father.
Looking back even to my own childhood, I realize that not having my father present at my sporting events and speak those same words left a void.
Now I realize that even though I was in attendance and vocal when Michael played, I missed the whole point of what I really needed to be doing and that was giving positive reinforcement at every opportunity possible not focusing on the errors and mistakes but praising the little things–even if it wasn’t standing at the water cooler as much from one game to the next.
I listened as Michael was saying,” I just need to stop talking about it,” and thought to myself that I hope that he will do just that and enjoy every second of every practice, scrimmage, and game as Logan grows because those days fleet fast.
I love my new view. I love being a grandparent. I love all my grandchildren.
If they never become superstars, I will still be standing on the sidelines encouraging with all I have in me to let them know just how important they are to me.
I encourage you to do the same!
