Run Your Own Race

Well, if you needed more proof that I am living the dad life right now, here it is … I’m going to focus on an episode of Bluey in this article! If you have watched Bluey with your kids then you understand the hype, and if you haven’t you need to utilize these snow days to do so! It’s incredible/embarrassing the amount of times I’ve referenced the show when talking my kids through life lessons. Sometimes the episodes are spot on!

 I was watching an episode not too long ago titled Baby Race, and I was compelled enough by the story that I wanted to share with you. Mind you we also own this specific book, so I’ve read and watched the episode my fair share of times. In the episode, Bluey’s mom was recounting a story with her kids about when Bluey was learning to walk. I’ll spare you all the details and cut to the chase- there was a mom’s group that unintentionally turned into a competition about who’s baby would be the first to sit up, crawl, and walk. Bluey’s mom became discouraged when it took her baby longer to reach those milestones. She received encouragement from another mom (who had 9 kids!) reassuring her not to worry, reminding her that Bluey will walk in her own time, and that the mom was doing great! That moment really turned things around and took the pressure off the mom, and it was a heartwarming scene.

The reason I wanted to share this message with you is that I want you to know that YOU are doing a great job! Parenting is no easy gig, even if you are an educator, and can be filled with pressure to make sure you are doing the right things. The speed in which children are developing can become the measuring stick. Sometimes competition can result as parents compare with siblings and other children to determine the success of their child. I’m here to tell you to take that pressure off and fight the urge to compare your child to others. Every child is growing at a different rate and possesses different skills and abilities. I’ve been reminded of this often during my years coaching various sports. Many times there were athletes who went under the radar in middle school who ended up being the best basketball player in high school! 

It’s important to remember that each child grows at such a varying rate physically, socially, and academically. They will also begin to develop their own opinions and thoughts about the world. As children experiment with new interests and discover their personality, it’s important for parents to remember to guide them while letting them be who they’re destined to be. For example, my wife and I are very outgoing and loud people, and my daughter is more quiet and reserved. While polite manners and eye contact are still our expectations for her, we do not push her to be outgoing like us. That definitely took growth and reflection on our part. 

When it comes to academics, there are things you can do to help your child succeed, no matter their current ability level. The number one thing I would start with is reading to your child daily. Whether for 5,10, or 15 minutes and beyond, anyone can read to their child, exposing them to your sentence fluency, vocabulary, and voice flexion. This is even beneficial for babies! If you are reading to your child, consider reading them a “stretch book”, which is a book above their current reading level. This could be chapter books for PS-K students. 

Another thing you can do is consider your child’s diet and sleep patterns. That looks different for everyone, but water, healthy food, and adequate sleep are good for everybody! You can also talk with your teacher during conferences or at any time throughout the year to see if they have any concerns. Our teachers have been in the game for a while (not old though!) and know a thing or two about academic and social development. They would be happy to share about your child’s progress while addressing any concerns they have. If those concerns do exist we can set up support and point you in the right direction as referenced in my January Acorn article.

I want to reiterate that you are doing a great job! You are at Oakhill which means you care deeply about your child. You make a sacrifice to be here and I believe it’s one of the best decisions you will make! As you come across those thoughts filled with pressure and comparison, I want you to fight the urge to give into those. Whether or not you believe your child is where they should be academically, socially, or athletically, our faculty and staff can work together with you to reassure you or help get you plugged in with resources if necessary. Utilize the tips above and do your best and forget the rest, and remember to let your child Run Their Own Race. While you’re at it, be sure to watch some Bluey with your child when you get a chance, you won’t regret it!