Watching the Olympics Together: Strong Women Overload!
Who else is jazzed to watch the Olympics? The Opening Ceremonies are only two days away. This is the first Olympics my daughter will view and be "into." We've already talked about all of the different sports and events, and how the athletes work and train and focus for years on this passion, on this one goal...and if that isn't strength, I don't know what is.
I know in the weeks to come we will be talking about how to win with grace, what it takes to win, and how to gracefully lose, the ideas of feeling confident in your abilities that you have honed for so long...I mean, the opportunity for conversation about self-esteem and the chances to point out some pretty awesome role models are plentiful. There are so many amazing female athletes to note -- I can't name them all -- but here are a few I'll be rooting for with my daughter.
Carmelita Jeter - She has clocked in as second-fastest woman ever in the 100 meters. We will see if she can bring home a medal with that speed.
Lolo Jones -- A perfect springboard for conversations on how to get back up after a huge set-back. The famous hurdler has her goals set on a medal, which she missed out on after tripping in the last Olympics. We will hear her story often, I bet.
Missy Franklin - This young swimmer is a world-record setter and definitely one to watch.
Natalie Coughlin - The swimmer already has 11 medals, but could make Olympics history: if she wins in London, she will become the most decorated American female Olympic athlete.
The U.S. Women's Soccer Team - They won gold the prior two Olympics...will they make it a third? This amazing group of women is the definition of strength in a variety of bodies and personalities.
Mariel Zagunis - She is back! Watch her fence to try to win her third medal and keep her title as the top-ranked saber fencer.
The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team -- Watch these teens -- Gabrielle Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross -- vie for medals on everything from the uneven bars and the balance beam. Focus, determination and hardwork will be topics of conversation on your couch.
Will you watch the Olympics with your daughter? What are your favorite events?
©iStockphoto.com/JayKJay21
I really prefer criterion-based judgment as opposed to norm-referenced judgment for young children, so I'm so happy to hear C. is doing well with gymnastics.
My brother and I were both involved in martial arts. I really loved it, and so did he. He went much farther than I did, though. I'd love to see 3-year-old DD with a black belt by the time she's 10, but it's up to her. If she wants gymnastics, ok. Dance? Ok. But I know no matter what she's going to take martial arts to at least a green belt. I want her to be disciplined and able to defend herself.
Have you ever thought about martial arts for C.? You're never too old for that! (Once we move, I may find a place in order to start up again.)
Quoting SweetLuci:How cute! Actually gymnastics, when they are very young can be a lot of fun for them, and I feel that it makes them self-confident. C. decided she wanted to take it this summer. I wasn't sure how it would work out, because she's not very athletic, and being 12, I thought that anyone her age would have been taking it quite awhile, and by comparrison she might feel inadequate. She likes to excell at whatever she does. She really liked it, and I was impressed with the teachers. Each girl was judged only on her own accomplishments, how much effort she put into it, and how she improved compared to her ability when she started. They were not compared to each other. Several times when I got there early to pick her up, I watched the little ones, and they seemed to just be having fun, but I could see it was very organized, and they were learning while they thought they were just playing.
Quoting SlightlyPerfect:
We watched it tonight, and now 3½-year-old DD wants to be a gymnast.
Reminds me and DH of 1984 when we were around her age, and we both used to stand up on stepstools and pretend we won medals.
Her dad, my son was involved in martial arts when he was her age and enjoyed it. She tried it, and did ok, but didn't really care for it. We made her stick it out till the end of the year, and then she wanted to try out for the swim team, and that worked out well for her.
Quoting SlightlyPerfect:
I really prefer criterion-based judgment as opposed to norm-based referencing for young children, so I'm so happy to hear C. is doing well with gymnastics.
My brother and I were both involved in martial arts. I really loved it, and so did he. He went much farther than I did, though. I'd love to see 3-year-old DD with a black belt by the time she's 10, but it's up to her. If she wants gymnastics, ok. Dance? Ok. But I know no matter what she's going to take martial arts to at least a green belt. I want her
Have you ever thought about martial arts for C.? You're never too old for that! (Once we move, I may find a place in order to start up again.)
Quoting SweetLuci:
How cute! Actually gymnastics, when they are very young can be a lot of fun for them, and I feel that it makes them self-confident. C. decided she wanted to take it this summer. I wasn't sure how it would work out, because she's not very athletic, and being 12, I thought that anyone her age would have been taking it quite awhile, and by comparrison she might feel inadequate. She likes to excell at whatever she does. She really liked it, and I was impressed with the teachers. Each girl was judged only on her own accomplishments, how much effort she put into it, and how she improved compared to her ability when she started. They were not compared to each other. Several times when I got there early to pick her up, I watched the little ones, and they seemed to just be having fun, but I could see it was very organized, and they were learning while they thought they were just playing.
Quoting SlightlyPerfect:
We watched it tonight, and now 3½-year-old DD wants to be a gymnast.
Reminds me and DH of 1984 when we were around her age, and we both used to stand up on stepstools and pretend we won medals.
The most important thing is that C. tried. :)
Speaking of the Olympics, this is my view right now. She and her dad are watching gymnastics. DD just said, "They're strong girls. They like to compete."
We're moving. I swear this place would qualify for FEMA assistance, so ignore the mess.
Quoting SweetLuci:Her dad, my son was involved in martial arts when he was her age and enjoyed it. She tried it, and did ok, but didn't really care for it. We made her stick it out till the end of the year, and then she wanted to try out for the swim team, and that worked out well for her.
Sweet! That's a great dad & daughter photo.
Quoting SlightlyPerfect:
The most important thing is that C. tried. :)
Speaking of the Olympics, this is my view right now. She and her dad are watching gymnastics. DD just said, "They're strong girls. They like to compete."
We're moving. I swear this place would qualify for FEMA assistance, so ignore the mess.
Quoting SweetLuci:
Her dad, my son was involved in martial arts when he was her age and enjoyed it. She tried it, and did ok, but didn't really care for it. We made her stick it out till the end of the year, and then she wanted to try out for the swim team, and that worked out well for her.
I love the Olympics and have since I was a kid. I have been enjoying them with my younger daughter, who is almost 12, and who is very athletic. I am glad that she can see all these positive role models of althletic, fit, confident young (and a few older) women! She has had some issues to deal with in the past year with some boys in her class calling her a lesbian becuase she is athletic looking, and some kids making fun of her because she like men's sneakers from Foot Locker - she loves basketball and says there aren't many cool looking women's basektball sneakers - she marches to her own drummer but the remarks can hurt, I am glad she can see the whole world cheering on these amazing female athletes!
I had my tissues ready when I watched the opening ceremonies. I have so much respect for the mothers of the athletes! I wrote an article on my blog about them.
www.momsworkit.com/?p=287
I don't know how they do it!
The kids were all so thrilled, and now that she's watched him compete in the Olympics, it's been very special. Now she wants to meet Phil Dalhausser, 6'9" beach volleyball gold medalist.
Quoting 4kidz916:
I'd probably be more interested if someone from our area was involved. It's great that she got to meet two athletes.
Quoting SweetLuci:
We're very excited about watching since there are 6 from this area who are in the Olympics. She's met two of them Hyleas Fountain in the Heptathlon event and Ryan Lochte-swimming who let the kids in the swim program see and touch his medals, at the YMCA where his dad and mom coach.
My dd is lovingt he olympics. She does gymnastics and swims so she likes to watch them on tv.
Happy Mothers's Day!
- HeatherNYC
on Jul. 25, 2012 at 12:00 AM