Michael’s first wrestling tournament was this weekend. Eight hours in a high school gymnasium, and we got to see Michael wrestle three times.
Yes, that’s fairly normal.
We won some (1) and lost some (2), and we all learned a lot.
I learned…
-Always bring seat cushions to a wrestling tournament. Your back (and butt) will thank you after it’s over.
-Bring healthy snacks to a tournament. The snack bar doesn’t have many any healthy (or gluten free) snacks.
-In an 8 hour tournament, there will be one child taken out on a stretcher, three instances of crowds groaning so loud (due to an injury) that it attracted the attention of parents on the other side of the gym, and uncountable amounts of bloddy noses. Only one was broke that I saw. Wrestling isn’t for the faint of heart.
-Murphy says that the minute a boy falls to the mat, doesn’t move, and is rushed out on a stretcher (causing all of the Moms in the gym to shudder and tear up a little), it’ll be your son’s turn to wrestle.
-The bottom is not a good place to be. I learned that I can hold my breath for a long time when Michael gets in this place.
-I learned that I can yell cheer really loud when he gets out of it, and puts his opponent under him.
-Next time, I need to remind the ref where to turn the winners so their parents can get an awesome view of their kid winning their very first wrestling match (one would think all the yelling would clue him in…).
-I learned this this face is the best face a Mom could hope to see. We are working on Michael’s confidence (you guys didn’t tell me this was so hard!) and seeing pride on his face when talking with his coaches is better than anything I’ve seen before.
Being a wrestling Mom is hard. I’d much rather he join the swim team again – there seemed to be less danger there – but if Michael is doing what he loves, and building confidence while doing it… I’m in.
What sports do your kids play? What sports did you play as a kid?
Family alert: The links to Michael’s winning match are here. Period 1, period 2, period 3. One of the losses (they were both to the same kid – so they look the same :) is posted here: Loss
This post is linked to several awesome blogs. What I Learned This Week, Live and Love Out Loud, and Parenting By Dummies. Go visit them and tell them how great they are :)
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, go Michael! And go Becca!! I hope I can do the same for Micah someday (ya know, letting him do what he loves and building confidence at the same time…even if it’s something a bit more messy like wrestling).
I’m sorry, did you say “Stretcher”?!?! ;-P I hope he enjoys it and stays injury free. Yay Michael!
Seems like he is really enjoying it. When I was a kid I played football (soccer) and managed to keep playing until I was 48. Luckily I was goalkeeper so didn’t have to run about much !. Also played hockey (not ice hockey) at school.
That is awesome…way to go Michael! We are a soccer and football family – was initiated into the world of tackle football last fall and spent the season watching through my fingers.
YAY!!! GO MICHAEL!!! I’m such a proud aunt! He’s so awesome :)
I was there and watched Michael practice and that was hard enough. But I love the expression on his face while looking at those coaches. Congratulations Michael. We are so proud and I hope you can follow your dreams. (Just wish those dreams weren’t something that involved “bloody noses, stretchers, and broken bones”) Oh yeah, and eye infections and ringworm etc etc. Good luck Becca. Always remember Grandpa Scheriffs’ favorite saying “WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND”
Thanks for posting! Michael is an awesome wrestler!!! <3
I’m so excited to hear you are a wrestling mom! I’m a mother of two boys, so I totally love and enjoy your blog. My oldest son wrestled, and still does in college (All American thank you very much!! Gotta brag!). I hope you enjoy it as much as my family has. There’s nothing like seeing your son’s face when his hand is raised in the air for that win….is there?! Being a wrestling mom isn’t always easy, but I’ve grown to love it and hope you do too. Tell your son to stick with it, and he’ll learn so much more than just moves for the mat. He’ll learn lessons for both on AND off the mat!
WTGo Michael!!!! I have NO idea how you do it! It sounds nerve-wracking! We haven’t ventured into the world of sports yet, mainly because our schedule and commute doesn’t leave time for it.
That is awesome!! I am a baseball Mom myself. And with my husband a coach, too, sometimes I am a baseball widow…but it is fun to watch them work at something.
Paula @lkg4sweetspot´s last [type] ..Word-Up: Get a Yob!
The look on his face made me smile. I did gymnastics when I was a kid. I’m crossing my fingers Aiden gets into music, drama, or dance. Keep the chances of severe injury to a minimum.
Kelly @eclecticmommy´s last [type] ..{Wordless Wednesday} A New Hobby
I coach baseball and played from 4/5 through highschool. Only thing that prevented me from playing in college was a job..and girls.
I love it as much today as I did when I was a kid. Watching my younger cousins play it (I coach 1of them now) and the rest of the guys learn to love the sport really makes all the time spent on the baseball field seem all worth while.
Played soccer, hated it. Was quite good at it too, but it just wasn’t for me.
John Irving the author of Garp loves wrestling and writes about it. It’s boring to read but it does not sound boring to watch. I love the pictures and especially have to laugh at your behind the back victory shot. The look of happiness on his face was wonderful. Good luck to him.
Love the look on Michael’s face when his coaches are talking to him. Way to goooooooo!
LOVE IT!! I am so glad that he found something he loves, something he can feel passion for. Sometimes that is hardest part.
Kellyn´s last [type] ..Holidays and more
Love the picture of Michael looking proud of himself! Seriously though, 8 hours!?! WOW!