Do You LOVE the Olympics?

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Toddler versions of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps

I love the Olympics. Like really LOVE the Olympics. I’ve been counting down to the Summer Olympics since the first time I wrote “2016” down for a date. I love it so much that in 2012, the first year we dressed our twins up for Halloween, they went as Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps. I REALLY love the Olympics.

Honestly, I come by my fanaticism naturally. My dad is an Olympics fan, and my sisters and I caught the bug from him. We used to tape (yes, tape, in the VCR) events we would miss while at school so we could watch them later. I even remember skipping school to watch the torch run by.

Now that my kids are getting older, I am so excited to pass down my obsession to them. I will show them how to be Olympics super fans — always having the TV on, jumping up and down when your favorites appear on the screen, getting goosebumps during the medal ceremony. No doubt, there are many great lessons to be learned while watching the Olympics with your kids.

  1. Celebrating different cultures: The opening ceremonies are a beautiful example of the world coming together. In addition to the host country showcasing her unique culture, you get to watch each country’s athletes walk in together. Seeing the different clothes, flags, and people opens the door for conversations about cultural appreciation, geography, and tradition.
  2. Hard work: The athletes in the games have sacrificed so much and worked so hard to get where they are. Some of them have trained their entire lives. They may have missed out on birthday parties or going to school with friends. Their families may have missed them while they were far away or given up other things to support their dreams. These people are truly extraordinary and deserve as much recognition and interest as the “celebrities” that dominate our news.
  3. Positive body images: There’s a lot of talk these days (and a lot of progress) regarding body images. The Olympics are a great way for everyone to see that strong and beautiful come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While you may not hold yourself to the standards the Olympians represent, it’s important for us to recognize that one size does not fit all, and all sizes can do amazing things.
  4. New sports: I’m excited for my boys to be exposed to sports that don’t get a lot of fanfare on a regular basis. Swimming, diving, gymnastics, rugby, and track and field all get a lot of airtime in during the Olympics and very little any other time. I know that many new swimmers, runners, and gymnasts are inspired by watching the games. You can even visit NBC’s website to find different sports programs  in your area.
  5. Patriotism: Watching athletes compete for their countries is a special thing. These people have their entire country cheering for them. It is important for kids to realize that it’s not just about individual people in the Olympics. It’s about doing your best to represent your country and make it proud.

Untitled design (7)The summer Olympics only come around every four years. For 17 days, there is less news about reality television personalities and more about athletes and their stories. Instead of endless crime forensics and matchmaking shows, we watch incredible athletic feats and world records being broken.

If you share nothing else about these Olympics with your children, please watch at least one medal ceremony. Watch with them as the flags are raised and a national anthem plays in the background. Watch with them as a person who has put in more hours than we can imagine realizes that the moment they have worked for has arrived. Every child should witness what it feels like to achieve a dream.

Do you LOVE the Olympics?

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Emily H
Although born in Austin, Emily grew up on the Eastside of Fort Worth. After marrying her high school sweetheart, and following the military's whims for a few years, the lovebirds wound up back in the Fort, with their three children in tow. Currently, Emily shares her love of books and writing with both her children and her middle school students. On the weekends, you'll find her outside running local streets and trails, as well as being her kids' biggest fan at whatever sport may be in season.

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