I mowed some grass last night...

Great perspective.

I don't know of anybody who went to their deathbed complaining they spent too much time with their son.

Wow . . . this post really hits home with me. I have 2 sons under 2 1/2. I have no idea whether or not either of them will have the talent or desire to play baseball at any level in the coming years.

My wife and I were both collegiate athletes; I had a cup of coffee in MiLB. Genetically, one would think they might both be predisposed to excel in baseball. However, I find myself, often, hoping that they will choose to play s****r, tennis, or golf . . . football, lacrosse, or cross country. I have owned a successful baseball academy, and currently coach HS ball (arguably, the best job on the planet). I have seen far TOO MANY parents place unreal expectations on their children; most of which will be disappointments in their parents' eyes (at least concerning college/pro potential). I find myself wanting to remove my kids from the prospect of such expectaions, real of percieved, from the get-go. The problem: I love baseball, every aspect of it. I want nothing more than to share that passion with my boys, without forcing/prodding them into the sport.

I think back to the Rick Reilly article, linked on this website, where 2 dads are planning their daughters' athletic futures, all while their respective infants are, merely, days old.

The crux of Go3's eloquently written post is to value each moment, year, season with our kids. They grow up fast; the superfluous stuff (mowing the entire yard), is seemingly insignificant, just as long as we spend that time developing deep, timeless, relationships with our boys (and girls). Sports (baseball) is oftentimes the medium by which we convey our love to our kids.

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cmcconnell...

I can relate exactly.

Same thing, we are both college athletes...I coach and have dealt with 30 years of crazed sports parents. Told mine early that I wanted them to find a passion, something they loved...didn't really care what it was...clear from an early age that mine had something athletic and they loved sports...so we taked a great deal about differential advantage and how that could lead to opportunities...told them if they wanted sports that they had to choose the sport(s) and I would act as support personell and advisor, not coach...frankly baseball was not my choice, but they loved it and smartly saw a longer trip there than in any other sport. I can say that because they chose that they worked harder, handled difficulty better and had a great ride. I got to learn a great deal about them and about baseball. They were in charge.

I figure that with your background you are WAY ahead of the game and will avoid the mistakes that less experienced sports parents make. You will be sensitive and aware. You'll be the kind of parent I like to have around. Realistic, with the right values, and the right priorities. You get it and know clearly how difficlut, and how long the road is.

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go3 and cmc - those are both great posts. Really enjoyed reading those.

I have a 4 and 1/2 year old grandson. This is his first year of organized baseball and my entire family is very excited. He is a natural at the game and we get so much joy watching him play. I feel like I am getting to re-live the wonderful ride we had before - minus the mistakes of my youth when raising my kids.

Not only do people need to chill out if the whole lawn does not get mowed, they need to pause often when they do get around to mow and smell all the roses and other flowers in the yard.

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All great posts. Spend that time with your kids. They appreciate it...and they will learn to do the same, God willing, with their own.

I'm with CD too. Looking forward, God willing again, to enjoying grandchildren someday.

And about mowing the lawn...it's been awhile. We had one of those riding type mowers that we bought at a farm implement dealer. I had used it, like I always do, to go to the market to fetch some Jiffy© cornbread mix and a gallon of milk. Following the twenty minute trek back from the market I parked it out front of our place...with the keys still in the ignition.

After downing a nice cold one (Dean's© 2%) I went back out front to get the mower and then stow it away. Imagine my astonishment when I realized our sweet mower/grocery cart was missing! I gazed down the road and saw this...



I dug into my pocket and fished out my cell phone...desperately trying to dial 411 for the police emergency number. Instead, I somehow ended up snapping this picture.

We lost a good mini-sized, still under warranty, farm implement that afternoon. And six boxes of Jiffy© mix too!




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Finally got the yard mowed Sunday. Jr was good and tired after a long Saturday workout and then his team practice Sunday morning.

I didn't get my "around the house chore" list even half way done this weekend, but my baseball "to do" list was completed!

I expect many more summer days with this same problem. How lucky I am!

The one thing I have taken from these boards this past year of intense reading - ENJOY the time as it will go by FAST!!!!