Sarah was ready to change our name to the Sykesville Cry-clones this fall season.
Listen. It’s a slippery line to toe. These kids are crying because they are used to excelling and performing at a high level, and they have drive and a want to win. I never want to tell them that winning or doing well doesn’t matter, and they shouldn’t care too much.
AT THE SAME TIME, we need to find better ways for them to channel these emotions, and the first step in that direction is take kids that are used to winning, and get them used to losing. Pick something YOU, as a parent, are good at. Mario Kart, board games, poker, boxing (lol), I don’t care. Choose something you excel at, and just beat them over and over, and do not let them quit. Don’t discourage the crying, but also don’t acknowledge it. You can prepare them in advance so they know that you’re not going to hold back.
Seems stupid, but until they get used to failing, it’s going to be hard to break the emotions that come from a mistake. Too many first born perfectionists up in here – am I right?