I am overcome with great pride and joy when I see the amount of “sacrifice and support” parents place on their daily lives to have their children reach the point of actually being part of the Olympics. I know there has been emphasis placed on various nationalities but when I look at the Olympics I can only think about the child within that adult, and how they have arrived at this point.
How many children have these resources in their neighborhood? How many parents can afford to send them to classes to become stronger in these areas that they are competing in? With hard work and determination parents make it happen!
As a parent we only aim for the best for our child. We tell them to dream, and remind them that anything is possible through hard work and determination. We, as parents serve as the root for our children to grow, we are their role models. On a daily basis without us even knowing it we model all of these wonderful qualities.
Mother and Fathers go off to work early on in the day not returning home until the sun goes down. Modeling to them that we have a responsibility, maintaining bills and taking care of our home is important. Many of us come home after a full day of work to prepare a meal and assist with homework. Even when times get rough and it may be hard to make ends meet we model to our children that even in the toughest of times you must maintain focus, go for the goal and in the end everything will work out.
Single mothers and fathers may be placed in a situation for one reason or another to raise their children alone. It is possible, and strong people make it happen. Many of our children are proof of it. Whether it be that woman who suddenly is left alone at nine months of pregnancy or that father who is forced to stay alone due to a sudden accident of the mother- they manage. They manage, and we all manage because deep down inside that is what real, supportive parents do.
A strong supportive parent nurtures that child’s curiosity of swimming by taking him to swimming classes. Allowing him to explore and learn what it takes to become a phenomenal swimmer. A supportive parent doesn’t tell that child, “you can’t do it because we don’t have the funds”. A great parent finds all of the opportunities to allow that child to flourish and support what that child wants. If a child happens to say they want to be a rapper- we nourish that child by strengthening their rhyming skills, reading, and writing. Parents give their child confidence and freedom to continue growing and developing this skill.
As we continue to watch these Olympians compete, let us remind our children to dream big, dream fierce, and drive their dreams with confidence allowing them to believe that anything is possible! Anything! You are that “Golden Parent” and you place your child in first place because you believe in them!