Follow Your Child’s Lead

Follow Your Child’s Lead
 By Laurie Wolt, Salvo SC Member Services Assistant - Community & Camps

 Be Open To Following Their Heart

My husband loved the game of basketball — watching, playing, coaching — all of it. When we were dating our dates were often delayed because his team was winning, and he couldn’t leave the court. He proudly placed his basketball shoes on display in his apartment.

And then we had a baby.
Our first child was a boy who also loved the game. When he was a baby, I dressed him in a little uniform, and he’d watch the game with dad. He loved his Little Tykes hoop and started playing when he was 5 years old.

But This Newsletter Isn’t About Basketball.
Our son also loved to play soccer. And he played both for many years. The guys on his soccer team were nice guys and became his friends. The parents were nice people and became our friends. So, our son decided to stop playing basketball and focused on soccer.

Sometimes You Have to Pivot
My husband could have been sad or frustrated. Instead he decided to pivot. He started to learn about the game of soccer. He kicked the ball around on the sidelines with other dads during practices. He got some skills and started learning about strategy. He watched games and learned from others who knew more about the game — including our son.

Our son played college soccer and now plays for fun keeping in mind that he has to be able to get up and go to work the morning after his game. My husband’s pivot has paid off — he now works as a soccer coach helping young kids find joy in the game.

Try following your child in a new direction. You never know where it might take you.