I have a Hubs who thinks he's Tiger Woods. He has also turned Stalker #1 into Tigress Woods. At age 2 he bought her plastic golf clubs. At age 2 1/2 he started working with her on her swing. By the age of 3 she was a regular at the putting greens, at age 4 she was at the driving range, and at age 5 she was playing 9 holes, and she has even mastered 18 holes ( once with lots of snacks).
Unfortunately I could care less about golf. To me, it's as boring as watching paint dry. In fact, once I did watch paint dry in my living room and actually enjoyed that more than watching golf. I don't have the patience, motivation, or care to play or watch golf. The Hubs takes Stalker #1 most weekends to putt or play 9 holes. During that time I enjoy staying at home or shopping with Baby Stalker. JACKPOT!
This summer she's finally old enough for The First Tee Golf Program. I had to remind myself to love it, even though the class is at a time that doesn't work for our schedule( the hubs picked the time), it's a farther drive than our other classes, and I have to entertain Baby Stalker outdoors in the sun while I wait for her. The first day didn't go so well. She was crabby because she had a cold and didn't have a nap. We forgot her clubs at home and she didn't hit well with the loaner clubs. She was crying when I picked her up and upset until she talked to Daddy. I could hear his excitement through the phone as he asked her about which club she hit with, what she learned, did she chip or putt, and if her ball made it in the air. I realized how exciting this was for him, just as I get excited when she takes dance class, does yoga, or sounds out a hard word while reading. This is what they share. I see it as Mommy's Break Time, but it is so much more than that. He has invested five years and in genuinely excited ( unlike playing dress up or dolls) and enjoys sharing this with her. She understands that and she loves it.
So the next day I purchased a First Tee official Adidas golf polo shirt for her, remembered her pink clubs, pink sunglasses, pink sun visor, and bottled water. I slapped her on the butt and send her off to class, telling her, " You've got this girl!". When I picked her up from class she was happy and told me the teacher told her she was a Rockstar. The first thing she wanted to do was call Daddy at work and tell him what she did. She couldn't wait for Daddy to get home to show him her "real golf shirt". When he did get home, she told him the difference between the rough grass ( like what our dog pees on) and the greens and some lessons in golf etiquette. Even though he had already taught her most of this, his eyes lit up like he was hearing it for the first time.
Golf- I'm learning to love it, because they do.
Shells
* What things are you learning to love for the ones you love?
I am still working on my "love" of trains. It all started with a $15 wooden set from IKEA when Evan was 2. Now 6 1/2 years later, we have been through 6 different train sets and still own 3. We have moved on to more sophisticated sets such as a LEGO train and an HO model scale train. They still get excited when we go over train tracks or hear a train whistle in the distance. I must say the addiction has weakened some as both boys as gotten older, but they still LOVE trains! I could care less about them. I have been known to hide several train books for a time.
ReplyDeleteI do "love" trains for them. They don't know my true feelings...yet! What I would give to just play with a barbie or tea set. It's a good thing I have a few nieces!!! ;-)
LOL, I've been thinking about all the things I'm going to have to learn to love with Baby Stalker. He may like dinosaurs, trains, bugs, etc. All the things I do not currently love. It's a little more natural for me to love the girly things that my daughter is into.
ReplyDeleteI bet if you ask your boys, they would swear that you really DO love trains.
I've also been known to hide a book. ;)
It makes you wonder what our parents learned to love for us when we were young, and what our partners are currently pretending to love for us now. The things you do for the ones you love.
haha...I have wondered about the parents too! I am pretty sure my mom did NOT hide her true feeling about my violin playing. I am sure it took some "love" to stop herself from putting insulated padding in my room. However, I did practice after school BEFORE she got home from work. ;-) I am sure shawn's parents were much better at pretending. Especially with all the "memorabilia" that we just inherited when they moved into their new home. The woman saved EVERYTHING!!! Perhaps she wasn't pretending...she really did LOVE everything that shawn did.
ReplyDeleteYes...the things we do for our kids.
"In fact, once I did watch paint dry in my living room and actually enjoyed that more than watchng golf" ROTFL :D
ReplyDeleteI kinda like hitting the ball (I suck, believe me) but watching it on TV is one of the most boring things, that's true. It makes me go to sleep.