Whose Story are You Telling?

Posted by Joe Bruzzese Jan 10, 2008

As a coach, teacher and parent I have been privy to more than my share of parents who love to tell stories. Stories, not of their own accomplishments but of their child's. Taking pride in your child and in her achievements is wonderful. Replacing the word, "her" with "our" though takes pride to a different place.

Living vicariously strips a child of his identity. On the soccer field I shared countless discussions with father and son where the son did little, if any, talking about what he wanted. Dad had an unfinished list of achievements. His son had become the instrument to achieve these goals.

Eventually, for most of the children I have come to know, Mom and Dad come to realize that their past accomplishments (or lack thereof) need not become a burden for their child. The sooner a parent comes to this realization, the sooner his child can truly develop into a person with unique interests and talents.

Imagine a parent's delight in discovering their child's talent in area where they would have least expected. Together parent and child get to experience something new.