You Can’t Beat Someone Who Won’t Quit
Teaching Kids Perseverance
Parents Aren’t Exempt
Excellence isn’t derived from talent; it’s learned through grit. Angela Duckworth conveys this concept in her book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.” In it, she explores how some of the most successful people in the business, military, and sports arenas arrived at their pinnacles of achievement. Their success didn’t come from innate ability. Instead, it came from their willingness to dig deep and fight in the face of adversity. Simply put: They refused to quit. Children frequently consider giving up on a sport, and it can be a difficult topic for parents to navigate. Many kids become frustrated with the various challenges that their sport presents, and they’re tempted to flee when times get tough. This provides a great learning opportunity for kids, though. By standing up, facing the grind, and fighting through the challenge, children learn the important concept of perseverance. Persistence
If your child wants to quit, it doesn’t mean that they lack grit or won’t be successful. As a matter of fact, the root cause of them wanting to quit may have nothing to do with the challenges they face at practice or competitions. A study done by the Positive Coaching Alliance showed that the single greatest reason kids quit sports is because of the car ride home.
Sports
There are many life lessons a child can learn from being involved in sports. While quitting may sometimes be the
safest (or only) option available, it is often used as a scapegoat that prevents kids from learning how to persevere. The lessons learned on the field, in the gym, or on the tumble mat are just as important as the lessons learned in school. So, just as we encourage our children to persevere in school, let’s do the same on the mat.
Extracurriculars
Many parents assume that children will be immediately successful when they are thrown into extracurricular activities. Duckworth’s data says otherwise. It’s not the amount or frequency of extracurriculars that indicate success; rather, it’s about the consistency and ability to commit to them over the long haul.
Proverbs 27:17 ”As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
• March 2: Daphne Middle School Cheer Tryouts, Spanish Fort High School Cheer Tryouts • March 9: Fairhope Middle School Cheer Tryouts • March 11: Daylight Savings Time • March 16: Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival • March 16: Central Baldwin Middle School Cheer Tryouts • March 17: Saint Patrick’s Day • March 22: Fairhope High School Cheer Tryouts • March 22: Robertsdale High School Cheer Tryouts • March 23: Spanish Fort Middle School Cheer Tryouts • March 26–30: Spring Break; The Gym Is CLOSED • March 30: Good Friday March 2018 Events
[Inspired by foodnetwork.com]
Colcannon
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day cuisine, corned beef and green beer are probably the first things that come to mind. This year, consider adding colcannon to your March 17 menu. It’s basically mashed potatoes on steroids, and it’s utterly delicious. Ingredients
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3 pounds potatoes
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1 pound cooked bacon, chopped into small pieces
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2 sticks butter
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4 scallions, finely chopped
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1 1/4 cups hot milk
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Parsley, for garnish
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1 head cabbage, cored and shredded
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Steam potatoes for 30 minutes. Peel skins and mash flesh thoroughly. 2. Chop 1 stick of butter into small cubes and add to warm potatoes. Once melted, slowly add milk, stirring constantly. 3. Boil cabbage in water. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to tenderize. 4. Add cabbage, bacon, and scallions to mashed potatoes, gently stirring to combine. 5. Serve garnished with parsley and a pat of butter.
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