The scene reminded me of a medieval fair ... people dressed in multi-colored, bright silks milling about, loud cries of encouragement for participants in athletic contests, colorful, shimmering tents sheltering contestants from the sun, and everywhere a feeling of good will and fellowship as the athletes engaged in friendly competition. Instead of arriving on horses and carts, however, colorful yellow school buses provided transportation for athletes and coaches to the track meet where many adults and others had worked hard to make this event possible and meaningful for the students. Time and attention from meaningful adults are what all toddlers, children and teens need. Just how great a difference it makes in the life of a kid may be indicated by the performance of one of the athletes at the track meet.
It was obvious even to an uneducated observer that the discus throw by the tall young man was exceptional. Smoothly sailing through the sky, it landed at least fifty feet further than the others had thrown. What caused such incredible performance? The same kid performed far beyond normal expectations in shot put, heaving the heavy round ball much farther than the other contestants. Soon everyone was buzzing about his wonderful ability. It was said that he was as good at football and basketball as he was at track. Why? One suggested genetics ... his brother, father and grandfather had apparently excelled in track as well. But might it also be “parentics”?
“Parentics,” like genetics which indicates inherited ability, is my term to indicate the style of adult/parental ability with children.
Adults who encourage, participate in, and support children’s interests and development certainly enhance ability and performance. Couldn’t this spectacular performance result not simply from good genes for athletic ability but from parental support and encouragement to an extra degree? His mother, brother and father were all at the meet, participating in this event in one or more ways, and always encouraging. Couldn’t it be parentics that provided the opportunities for this young man while still a small child to be with dad as he worked out, to accompany brothers as they became proficient, and to be encouraged to try to the extent of his ability to participate? Think of other parents and children who follow, literally, in their footsteps ... doctors with doctor sons, carpenters with carpenters, teachers with teacher sons and daughters, race drivers with racing sons, fishing dads with fishing kids, and so on. Genetics are important but parents provide the footsteps to follow, and that is the key for most children!
Kids equate our presence and our time with caring and love. No matter what moms and dads are doing, kids want to be there and be a part. Some of our earliest memories are of doing whatever our dads did on Saturdays as we tagged along, just to be there, literally, “in his footsteps”. Parentics means making time, every day, for the children to whom we are most important ... who knows where our footsteps will lead?!
