I remember going to my brothers Pinewood Derby
and it being this HUGE deal. There were WINNERS
and AWARDS! Well Jeff had his lastnight and
you know I just wasn't that impressed!
In the beginning they told us that there are
no winners but everyone would get an
award or better known as a "participation certificate"!
I will be honest with you!! "STUPID"
They want everyone to feel like winners
and that there are no losers! SERIOUSLY?!
Some of these kids are gonna be shocked
when they get into the real world and
realize that ummm yep there are winners
and losers. Whats the point in making an
awesome car that is going to kick everyones butts?
I have to admit having known all this in advance
Jeff's car was great but we probably would
have put more work into it if it seemed more important!
In other words if the Scouting program made a
bigger deal about it being the "Pinewood Derby"
In the end they gave everyone there "Participation Certificate"
and a mini candy bar. BUT they also gave the top 3 cars a
bigger thing of candy. Jeff felt like if he had known
that the top 3 would have gotten something else
he would have tried harder on his car. He was quite
disappointed but he also knows that not everyone can win!
Are we really do our kids justice by just making them
all feel like everyone wins all the time?
...I understand the whole self-esteem
part of it but honestly its ok to WIN and its ok to LOSE!
In life if we all knew that we are all equal in
everything we do....sports, our jobs, etc. would we
really put forth our best efforts??
Is it really bad to have a little competition?
(Maybe its just the coach in me and
the fact that I am VERY competitive!!)
13 comments:
I'm ok with competition and having winners. I think there is time and a place for it too. I will use a Pinewood derby as an example. If you want it competative make it that way, but give everyone a fair chance. Give everyone the same materials, the same tools, and the same amount of time to design something. Then it is a fair competition and kids can only blame themselves if they makes something that turns out poor. I was in scouts growing up and I had a father with a garage full of tools and a ton of experience. We had a paint gun for shooting cars so my derby car had clear coat on it. It was amazing, it was completely in a class of it's own come competition day. IT WAS COMPLETELY UNFAIR. I personally learn much and my dad pretty much built the whole thing, so when I won it was really my dads sucess and a downer to everyone else. I was on cloud nine but I was 10, who doesn't like winning? Looking back on it though, it wasn't right. How many boys have fathers that work, and work a lot. They just aren't around. How many dads have a garage full of tools? If your going to be competative make it competative. If your not then don't make a big deal about it. Also the mormon church is rich! freaking give the kids a trophy not some stupid bag of candy. My kids will not be in boy scouts, especially since I'm no longer LDS. It's a bad environment for non members.
Way to be honest about how you feel!! :-) I agree with you on a lot of your opinions. If it's going to be a competition, make it a competition. Our kids need to learn to do their best and be rewarded for their best and if they don't do their best then they need to reap the consequences. I believe we need to do all we can to make our children feel good about themselves and who they are, but that doesn't mean we make them the same as everyone else. We all came to this earth with different talents and abilities, some are great at building great cars, others are great at mastering math or other subjects. Accentuate the positive!! No matter what it is!! I agree with Ty, if it's a competition, make it fair for everyone. But really, we all have different talents, different access to tools and options. Not everyone can have a nice tool shed ;-), so be creative and make it your own and do the very best that you can with what you have, then make sure the child knows they did their very best no matter the outcome!! On another note, I'm a firm believer that all rules should be known from the beginning and followed, no changing rules in the middle of the game. Glad Jeff had fun, and no matter what, we love him and all of you!!
I like how you said that if he had known there were prizes for the top three cars he would have tried harder. A lot of kids were probably that way too--they probably just made their cars because they were supposed to, without much thought or effort. I agree with you that kids need some competition, and I think the Pinewood Derby is a great place for it! Kids will feel better about themselves when they know they've put in their very best effort. And they have to learn sometime how to be gracious losers.
Where's my "Laundry Participation Certificate" or "Great job on those dishes Participation Certificate" or how about "Way to change that diaper without passing out Participation Certificate"? I just really feel like I've been jipped! I'm a winner too!!!!
yea, I think that my kids need to learn how if feels to lose just like they need to learn how if feels to win. how will they ever know that they want to win if they don't know that there is a difference. if you always get the same thing in life wether you win or lose why try. Make winning feel good so that you want to to win!!!!! Right!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... well I'm not
writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
Feel free to visit my homepage Chaussure Air Jordan
Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
Feel free to surf to my weblog :: Louis Vuitton Handbags
What's up everybody, here every one is sharing these experience, so it's pleasant to read this web site, and I
used to pay a quick visit this webpage daily.
my web page - Christian Louboutin UK
I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I'm not certain whether or not this submit is written by means of him as nobody else recognise such detailed approximately my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Also visit my web site Soldes Air Jordan
Excellent weblog here! Additionally your site lots up
fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your
associate hyperlink for your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
my web site: Mulberry Outlet UK
Hi there all, here every one is sharing these kinds of
experience, therefore it's fastidious to read this blog, and I used to pay a quick visit this weblog all the time.
Visit my web page Cheap NFL Jerseys
Right here is the right web site for everyone who wants to understand this topic.
You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that
I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic which has been written about for
decades. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
Also visit my website: New Kevin Durant Shoes
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding
more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for
my mission.
Also visit my web page :: Michael Kors Outlet (http://nysacpr.org/)
Post a Comment