What I am learning from my kids - Part 1

This is Part 1 because I have two sons and they have each taught me different things.  But today is Jordan’s day in more ways than one, so I will start with my youngest son.

Jordan is about to turn 18 and has his entire life ahead of him.  He is full of personality (although not in the mornings), and full of ambition.  Most of you are aware that Jordan is a pretty good rugby league player and he is on the verge of either making it (or not) as a professional rugby league player.  There are still so many variables at play, and he still has a lot of work to do, but he is in the right place to make this possibility a reality.

Clearly Jordan got his sporting ability from his father.  My friends can attest to the fact that I have no natural sporting ability.  I love sport, I try hard, but I have no talent in the sporting arena at all.  What Jordan got from me, I feel, is determination.  He just got it a whole lot earlier in life than I did.

Although Jordan is good at footy, he is not as naturally talented as some other players.  He has to work hard at it, and the progress he has made to date has not come easy.  He has not always been picked in the representative teams, and when he was he was not always picked to play.  He has had a number of disappointments along the way and was pretty close to giving up about a year ago.  It was at the point he made the decision to play for the joy of the game.

He changed to a new district and a new club to play with his mates.  This move was such a positive one.  He got so much support from his new club St Patricks Blacktown, and he got his mojo back.  Without being aware of it, he was picked in the Penrith under 18’s representative squad.  This was a large squad that would be cut dramatically, and he needed to make the decision to try the Penrith option which was very risky, or to go with the team where he had a much greater certainty of playing.  It is a big decision for 17 year old, and everyone seemed to have an opinion on which way he should go.   

Clearly, he chose the more difficult option.  He backed himself and I have watched him work so hard to achieve what he has this year.  He has committed to his fitness and his diet at a time when most 17 year old’s are out partying hard.  He still has fun and his mates are mostly like minded footy players who support each other in their own unique way, but he has made a lot of sacrifices this year.  He has achieved more than I think any of us expected and it was only due to his own self believe and commitment.

What have I learned for Jordan?  When I am sweating it out at the gym and don’t think I can do those extra reps, my mind always goes back to Jordan.  He would not give up, so I cannot either.  He has taught me not to take things too seriously and to get over the small failures.  There is always the next game where you can improve on your performance.  There is always something you can learn from what you did to make you perform better next time.  He has taught me to be classy in defeat and to always be a good sport.

You need to have a plan B and Jordan is very realistic about his future career.  He will start his apprenticeship as an electrician when he finishes school at the end of the year.  Hopefully the footy will continue and he will continue to love playing the game.  Until then mate, enjoy this year of your life.   Enjoy turning 18 in 9 days time.  Enjoy making it to representative grand final as not many people get to do that.  Enjoy your last year of school and try just a bit to get OK results.

No matter what today’s grand final results bring, it is just another game so enjoy the moment.  We are all so proud of you and know you will do your best.