What I Would Tell My Younger Self – Watching my kids go through certain awkward times of their lives, I sometimes wonder what I would tell my younger self if I could go back in time or relive these certain moments all over again.
What I Would Tell My Younger Self
I remember when son had his very first school team football game. He was in 7th grade and he’s playing his school’s lightweight team. My husband and I went to the game, which turned out to be an interesting moment of reflection for both of us.
As we walked up to the sidelines to watch the game, it felt odd. I had been to every football game of my middle and high school years, but this was different. I was a cheerleader on the sidelines back in school, and now I was a parent on the outside looking in at the football players and cheerleaders. I got to see things from a completely different perspective. It was enlightening, and had me thinking… what would I tell my younger self?
When I was a cheerleader, I cheered my heart out. I was probably even partially guilty of thinking that everyone was watching and enjoying our performances. When now, after having been to a football game as a fan, I can more clearly see that most fans are watching the game and the cheerleaders are more of a nice “background.” I would tell my younger self not to get too caught up in it. Have fun, but don’t think that the guy you got a crush on is necessarily watching you and thoroughly impressed by your stellar toe-touch.
How Do I Teach My Teen To Have Confidence When I Didn’t Have Any?
My husband also uttered something at the football game that got me thinking. As he watched our son play, he said “Why didn’t I have the guts to play football in school? I could have done this, why didn’t I?” Our son is an 82 pound lightweight, yet he’s playing and having fun with it. Sure, he won’t play for the NFL, but in the here and now, football is good fun. My husband was small-framed as well and at the time figured there was no way he could play. I could tell he really wished he could instill some confidence in his younger self to show as much bravery as his son currently is exhibiting with his middle school football endeavor.
Hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes watching your child live parts of their lives that you have already lived in yours makes you stop and wonder “what if?” about so many scenarios.
In the grand scheme of things, I’m fine with how it all turned out. But, if I could say a few more things to make it easier on my younger self, I would tell her to be confident, not give a hoot what anyone thinks, stay true to her beliefs and morals, and have a good time while you can. I guess hat I would tell my younger self is… have more confidence.
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What would you tell your younger self?
