Day Ninety- Competition Much?

Harrington Bowlers:

Age 6: 1st Place

Age 9: 2nd Place

Age 7: 3rd Place

Age 43: 4th Place

Age 3: 5th Place

Age 41: 6th Place, Dead Last and Not Very Happy About It.

I am extremely competitive. It is part of my A+ personality as much as my wry sense of humor, my lack of coordination and my love of shoes. I love competition, but only if I come out on top. I recently was worrying about my oldest, as he was not very happy with how his Cub Scout Derby car placed in his race. He was pouting when the trophies were being handed out and I took him aside to give him the sportsmanship lecture. I know now that I was talking to my mini-me. He has always hated losing since the days of losing at Candy Land as a 2 year old. He inherited it from me. Competition can be a very good thing. It can push you forward, aid you in reaching goals and bettering yourself. It has a dark side too. I can leave you looking like a bad sport and feeling bad about yourself when you lose. We all go through it, as it is one of the universal life lessons we all have to learn. Somehow, I think I either skipped or flunked

that class during my childhood years.

I knew I was competitive, but I didn't know how bad it really was. I was genuinely irritated that I lost while bowling with my husband and children. My husband thought it was quite funny and had a ball singing, "At least I didn't lose to a three year old!" I should have thought it was funny too. I did on some deep level, but not really. I'm kidding myself. I hated it. What fully functional, healthy 41 year old loses to a 3 year old? Apparently my lack of coordination was not inherited by my children, because they all beat my by a good 20 points. I admit it. I was annoyed. I wanted a rematch! Reset the pins! Let's go!

Of course we didn't play again. Do you have any idea how long it takes to bowl one string with four boys ages 9 and under? I think it took us about 2 hours. Mainly this is because the 3 and 6 year old simply dropped the ball onto the lane and then about 15 minutes later it hit the pins. They still kicked my ass! The shame of it... I know in my heart of hearts that I would have lost for a second time even if we played again. I just have to get over it.

So, when I take the next child aside to give him the sportsmanship lecture, I will have to remember the age old axiom, "Do as I say, not as I do." I will pray that these boys will grow up with a healthy sense of self, a good sense of humor and a competitive spirit that will not keep the up at night when they lose to their own kids. We all want better for our children then we have done for ourselves, right? I guess I need to rethink the need for therapy.... Happy Bowling everyone.