Sponsored Video: It’s Not About Winning, It’s How You #ShowYourStripes

Thank you to Kellogg’s who is sponsoring today’s discussion.

With children it seems to be hard to convince them that winning isn’t everything. I have three children and it seems like everything is turned into a competition. How fast they can get dressed, how fast they can clean up their toys (I actually don’t mind that one!), how fast they can get there homework done, how fast they can brush their test (considering we use a timer, this seems silly to me). My middle child things everything is a race and gets very distraught when he doesn’t win. It seems everyday I’m explaining to him that it isn’t a race, there was no competition and everything is fine.

Now imagine playing games with this middle child. When he loses it is a catastrophe (at least in his mind) and we have to remind him that playing the game was fun, having a good time with his family was what it was about, creating these awesome family memories was the goal – NOT winning. He’s only six so I’ll cut him some slack but it does put a damper on me actually wanting to play games with him. Part of this reason is why we haven’t entered the world of organized sports, though I do think that would be the best thing for him.

, the knows it’s not all about winning but how you play the game. Whether you and your team have pre-game rituals, a team cheer, team spirit or good sportsmanship, those qualities are what it is all about. Those are the ways you #ShowYourStripes.

I love that video because that Coach does a great job of explaining this concept. Having passion for your team and your sport is what it’s all about, it’s not about winning. Winning is fun but the character development on the way is what makes it all worth it.

Do you have children in sports? How do you help them #ShowYourStripes?