What can a charter school parent do with the Olympics other than just watch and cheer? Here are a few ideas, even if you aren't a sports fan.
Character lessons
Dealing with disappointment - All of us know that life can be disappointing sometimes. This topic can be dealt with appropriately at any age. Many athletes go to the Olympic Games expected to win. Even a silver medal is a disappointment for them. Dealing with disappointment well is extremely difficult. At any age, not obtaining goals can be difficult. Dealing with losing a friend or not getting to play with certain friends is tough. Not getting the grades expected or at a later age, perhaps, even a job that was expected.
Dealing with winning - Winning can be fun. Everyone likes to be a winner, but dealing with being a winner can be difficult. Who are your real friends? How do you appropriately relish in your high accomplishments without bragging or seeming arrogant?
Life goals - What is an appropriate life goal? How does one decide how much time to put into something like sports or other hobbies?
Risk - Olympic athletes have risked a lot of their lives in order to compete in the Olympics. Most will never win a medal. Many will not benefit financially from the Olympic Games. Injury could wipe out an Olympic career. What is appropriate risk in life and how do we choose?
Rewards - What is the real reward of life? Is a gold medal everything? Is money and fame everything? How much of competition is about the competition itself? Is the journey part of the reward?
Those are not all easy topics, but as parents looking to assist our kids in becoming good citizens, the Olympic Games can be more than an event to watch with our families. They can be a setting for encouraging our kids to be better and to be good, even if they won't ever compete for an Olympic gold medal, then can become the best at being who they are.
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