I didn't keep up with the show, but I really liked this angle on Johnny as a washed up adult who never got over losing in a tournament. The background of how abusive Kreese was paralleled with the meditative karate taught by Mr Miyagi...and Daniel's attempt to balance Mr Miyagi's peaceful karate with his desire to win and gain status.
It feels important to remind kids to have fun. I only just introduced my daughter to basketball, my jr high and high school sport. I was terrible. Most of the kids on the team strove for high mediocrity. But we learned how to lose. Sometimes we did it better than others, but the lesson was reinforced relentlessly.
I want my daughter to learn to try things, have fun, and not feel bad for sucking at things. And there is always surfing, a sport where the worst day is a great day (in my extremely limited experience).
Jennifer, thank you for telling us about your brother. What a heart-breaker for all your family. We've seen something of this problem with the Olympic athletes who age out of their sports -- what do they do, who are they if they aren't training or competing? Always keep an eye on your own (self) identity, because life happens, things can change, and we need to be able to change with it.
Thanks, Carolyn and exactly right. Diversification of interests seems paramount to me, as I raise my sons. I'd rather they be polymaths than experts in something from the jump.
I didn't keep up with the show, but I really liked this angle on Johnny as a washed up adult who never got over losing in a tournament. The background of how abusive Kreese was paralleled with the meditative karate taught by Mr Miyagi...and Daniel's attempt to balance Mr Miyagi's peaceful karate with his desire to win and gain status.
It feels important to remind kids to have fun. I only just introduced my daughter to basketball, my jr high and high school sport. I was terrible. Most of the kids on the team strove for high mediocrity. But we learned how to lose. Sometimes we did it better than others, but the lesson was reinforced relentlessly.
I want my daughter to learn to try things, have fun, and not feel bad for sucking at things. And there is always surfing, a sport where the worst day is a great day (in my extremely limited experience).
Jennifer, thank you for telling us about your brother. What a heart-breaker for all your family. We've seen something of this problem with the Olympic athletes who age out of their sports -- what do they do, who are they if they aren't training or competing? Always keep an eye on your own (self) identity, because life happens, things can change, and we need to be able to change with it.
Thanks, Carolyn and exactly right. Diversification of interests seems paramount to me, as I raise my sons. I'd rather they be polymaths than experts in something from the jump.