Comments on Keeping Up with the Cases: A Conversation Overheard, A Lesson Learned

Just a little comment here after reading this post...

2009-03-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

Just a little comment here after reading this post - my impression is that the Dad just really enjoyed listening to the sound of his own voice, in a mostly authoritative manner (and could've been hightened by the fact that he knew he had a small audience next door!). Wouldn't put it past him!

Yeah, I think I'm missing the sports gene, so as I...

2009-03-09T09:27:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I think I'm missing the sports gene, so as I read Ryan's comment my first thought was "I would never do anything like that." But then I thought. I would probably do things much worse, because I'm certainly as anal about science as some are about sports, and that's probably worse because not only is it controlling and meddling, but it's also incredibly dorky. "Dad, we're playing astronaut and we're going to land on the SUN!" "Uh, hold on a minute. We need to talk."

Ryan, thanks for lending another perspective. At l...

2009-03-05T11:24:00.000-06:00

Ryan, thanks for lending another perspective. At least you're AWARE of it. This guy was totally clueless. And you should know that my husband had to admit that he wouldn't know what rules to tell his sons, as he is clueless about sports. :)

As probably the sole male that comments on your bl...

2009-03-05T11:05:00.000-06:00

As probably the sole male that comments on your blog, I have to partially chalk (chock?) this behavior up to male dumbheadedness. As I read, I have seen myself do this on occasion. Men are not hardwired for 'play for play's sake' so it comes a little harder for some of us when it comes to letting our kids just play organically instead of instructing and pushing for accuracy (especially in athletics, I think).

I find myself having to make a conscious effort to chill the heck out when Oliver brings me a football and asks me to help him put on his baseball glove (on the wrong hand!). Crazy, I know. But there are absolutes in sports, in tool usage, and building with legos. Men become engineers for a reason. Because there is a set way to do things. And that is secure.

Like I said, I can only partially give grace for this father's behavior. The other part is poor. There's no excuse for not praising your child every opportunity you can. Parent with love, not an iron fist.

This was hard to read. I wanted you to say you wal...

2009-03-05T08:27:00.000-06:00

This was hard to read. I wanted you to say you walked next door and set him straight! I commend you for your restraint. :)

R

How awful! I hope it was nothing more than an off...

2009-03-05T07:39:00.000-06:00

How awful! I hope it was nothing more than an off day! I can't imagine hearing my dad yell at me like that while I was playing! My rule is as long as they are playing nice, let them play! Why ruin a good thing?

That is SO annoying. Why mess with little kids li...

2009-03-04T21:34:00.000-06:00

That is SO annoying. Why mess with little kids like that? Let them have fun, play how they want (and disregard the RULES) and let them work it out themselves!! That is how kids can learn and grow. Sigh......

I'm so unathletic too! And wow this story is so s...

2009-03-04T19:08:00.000-06:00

I'm so unathletic too! And wow this story is so sad! I love your comment about how he should have just gone inside and watched tv! The LEAST he could have done is gotten a cup of coffee and sat on the back porch and just watched and enjoyed seeing his kid have FUN!

I'm noticing in the classroom that the kids' parents are either apathetic or completely hover. It's so sad they can't seem to be in between and just enjoy being family.

On a side note - a co-worker got an email from a mom the other day asking why her son failed his Spanish test. (I had this kid last semester...)

My friend wrote back in essence: "because he missed most of the questions."

HAHAHA!