Be Their Biggest Fan

Tonight is our 15 year old's first home scrimmage for High School. HS football in our small town is so exciting! It always has been, but since we won the State Championship last year, it's especially exciting!  

I wrote this poem a few years ago. It's about parents....and they types of fans we should be. I'm sure I shared it on here then, but thought it might be good to do on here once again.

BE THEIR BIGGEST FAN

Your children play on courts and fields,

You watch from in the stands.

Be careful of the words you say.

Be their biggest fan.

Some dads yell out in fits of rage.

They don't seem to understand.

The child is trying as best as he can,

So be their biggest fan.

Moms may scream at the top of their lungs

That the officals ruined the plan!

But boys and girls your example see,

So be their biggest fan.

It's fun to win from, time to time,

But losing we understand,

Will make them stronger every time,

So be their biggest fan.

Your child will someday go out on his own.

He'll learn to take a stand.

Your example he'll learn - that example he'll be -

Please be their biggest fan.

A fan is one who supports and cheers

Each young woman and each young man.

Let them hear your positive tone,

Yes! Be their biggest fan!

Little eyes are watching you!

They hear you in the stands!

With every game, do all that you can

To be their biggest fan.

by Lori Waugh © (but may be shared!)

October 8, 2010

I had been thinking of this poem title for a while and finally sat down and wrote it.  Hope you enjoy it :).

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"You Say It, You Pay It" Jar

Last week a friend had a great idea for reminding one of her children to not say some of her favorite overused words.  Because the mom grew tired of hearing those favorite phrases, she intervened with this wonderful solution!

Having a consequence for using those words made the child think more about the words that came out of her mouth.  Twenty-five cents per use raked in a few dollars soon, but I'm thinking it didn't take long for the young girl to stop those favorite phrases!

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Jacob's Invoice

Saturday afternoon my daughter and I were out of town shopping.  After a while, one of my boys called - Jacob, the 14 year old.  It seems he needs some money....he's saving for something big.  He asked if he could clean the refrigerator for $50.00.  I told him that was too steep, but that he could clean the inside fridge and the garage fridge and we agreed on $35.00.  He said he would clean until I got home on other things, too, if that was okay.  I assured him he wouldn't be able to clean that long because we wouldn't be home until late, but I agreed to pay him for his "above and beyond" services.

Typically we don't pay our children for routine household chores.  We just believe that comes with being part of a family - and being part of a busy family - that we all work together to make everything better.  But this was different because it was cleaning/organizing/straightening...so I agreed with the pay being negotiable.

When my daughter and I got home late Saturday night, this note was taped on the outside of the garage door, so that I would be sure to see it!  $73.00 was my invoice bill!!!!  WOW!  "He must have cleaned up really good," I thought!  Well, he worked hard and I could tell he had.  Not sure it was worth $73.00, but my husband is softer on things like that that I would be alone, so this time I agreed to the payment.  I should have taken off for spelling errors!! :)  I did tell Jacob that next time I would be really strict about the "cleaning" part.  He needs some instructions on that part!

Anyway, it sure was fun seeing this note waiting for me - knowing he had worked so hard to save for something.  I can tell he's grown up because at about 12-13, he wouldn't have cared to try to do that at all.  I see a business man in the future, I think!  It will be fun to show him this note when he's got children of his own!

Have a great week!

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