My oldest said something to me today at her basketball tournament that was so impactful as a mom.
My younger daughter was out on the court playing, and my oldest was sitting next to me. My one on the court kind of flubbed the ball causing a turnover and I could tell she was bummed. She looked up into the stands and our eyes met; I gave her a big smile and yelled, “You’re ok, keep going. Big defense, now.”
A minute later, she was on the bench, and she looked up at me again. “Keep smiling at her mom, keep smiling,” my oldest told me.
“Why are you telling me to smile? I always smile at you guys,” I asked.
“That’s the thing. You ALWAYS smile at us. And when we mess up, you keep smiling. And then we feel better and we can keep playing again.”
Parents, never underestimate the power of your smile. Our kids feel a lot of pressure to perform, win and shine on the court. But seeing their mom or dad smile gives them the confidence to keep going and to do their very best. Especially when they mess up.
Smile on, bleacher moms and dads. Smile, on.
Credit to the rightful owner~