Bikinis in the Snow Week 4 – Embracing Sports as a Boy Mom
I enjoyed playing sports as a kid. I looked forward to P.E. at school and played on a few different sports teams during summers and junior high school. But, I have never been into watching sports. I would go along for the ride and liked the social aspects of the game, but I never understood those hardcore sports fans that watched every play, knew every player, and remembered stats from years ago.
Now, I’m surrounded by sports fanatics at home. My husband and sons are some of those hardcore sports fans. They eat, sleep, and breathe sports. If they could literally do all of those, I’m sure they would! Actually, we have made (and eaten) Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates cookies.
I usually do other things while they watch games on the television. Yes, I attend the kids’ sports games, but I don’t pay attention to every detail. I usually just glance up from my phone or whomever I’m talking to when it’s one of their turns at play.
Week 4 Bikinis of the Snow – Embracing Sports as a Boy Mom
To get me out of my comfort zone, week 4 of Bikinis of the Snow is Embracing Sports as a Boy Mom. Obviously, this week’s challenge is just for me, not my husband. Don’t worry. He’ll have his own week some time soon. I’ll think of something good for him.
This week, I’m going to try to pay attention, get into the game/s, learn more about the sport/s, and try to enjoy the sports moments.
On Thursday, we will be going to the Austin Spurs basketball game as a family. Normally, if we weren’t doing Bikinis in the Snow, my husband and kids would go and I would stay at home or do something else. There is a player on the Austin Spurs, Ryan Arcidiacono, that they have been following since he was on their well-loved Villanova basketball team. My family is very excited about watching him play, so I will try to get into the game and share in their excitement.
Sunday – I went to my son’s flag football game. I left my phone in my pocket and worked hard to really pay attention to the game. I watched my son pull a flag and make a good run. I’m sure there were other good plays too, but now a day later, I don’t remember all of the details. I will work on that more this week.
Thursday – As I said, normally, I would have passed on this event, but this week I’m embracing sports. We went to the Austin Spurs basketball game. My kids and husband have been wanting to go to an Austin Spurs game to see Ryan Acriciacono play. They were able to get there early and meet him and get a photo before the game. That made the kids’ night! The game started at 8pm. I watched most of the game and cheered for the Spurs. I only got on my phone a couple of times to post to Instagram and Facebook. We stayed for the whole game and the Spurs won. It was a nice evening. It is not something I would want to do all of the time, but I do enjoy seeing my family happy.
The kids met Ryan Arcidiacano in Austin, Texas at the Austin Spurs Basketball Game against Villanova
Rachel
How did I feel before trying this challenge?
I knew this was a challenge I would have to at some point. I had mixed feelings going into it. I knew that this would be good for my family, but there were other things I would rather be doing.
How did I feel during the challenge?
During my son’s game, I really enjoyed watching him play. He was having a good time and succeeding. I liked seeing him get positive attention and having a great time. The basketball game was better than I thought it would be. Because my family was happy, I was happy. Yes, I got bored at times, but I dealt with it.
How do I feel after the challenge?
I am glad that I spent more time with the family this week and that they saw me making a effort to learn more about their passion. As a parent, it really brings you joy to see your family happy. When the kids are happy and doing something they enjoy… that just makes the day a whole lot better.
What did I learn?
I should be a good role model for my kids and show them how good relationships work. Successful relationships involve people supporting each other and their passions. I don’t have to go to every game or event, but when I’m there, I need to be there fully and show them that I am supporting them. I know I appreciate it when my family supports me. For example, last weekend I ran a half marathon. I really appreciated my family being at the finish line to cheer for me.
Rachel K. Belkin, M.Ed is an Austin, Texas blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, freelance writer, and educator. After selling her lifestyle blog for six figures in 2021, she teaches business, blogging, and influencer marketing strategies that helped her build her business on part-time hours. Bylines include MSN, Associated Press, HuffPost, Medium, NewsBreak, and Hometalk. She has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, and other news and media outlets.
