Another long Saturday. This is a picture where he happened to look up at me. He won this particular match. He placed second again. For his second ever tournament, I’d say he’s doing quite well! This medal wasn’t quite as well received. He truly expected to place first and I think losing his last match came with a shock. There were tears and he was quite angry. I think he was most angry with himself, but wasn’t really sure of it yet. Parenting a child in such a competitive and intense sport is really hard. I just stuck with him while he was mad. I let him cry. I listened while he made unreasonable comments. Eventually, he got it all out and came back to us. I really had no idea he was putting so much pressure on himself. It opened my eyes a little too. What I was proud of is that he really has very good sportsmanship. He was visibly mad, but he contained it within himself and my shoulder. He wasn’t able to congratulate the other kid, but I didn’t think forcing him was the answer. That will come in time I think. 
What a great picture! He looks so determined. And so grown up. I love his long hair.
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Golfer goes to some Golf tournaments that are painfully stressful. I never know if it’s the right thing to bring him to such an intense experience. On the one hand, he begs to do it. On the other….jeez, they’re only 8 still!
In the words of Golfer, when I told him that sometimes we play games ‘just for fun’, he answered back, “but it’s only fun if I’m winning!”
Oy vey.
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