| Other Kids
By Ironman Age Group World Champion and MAP Team member Cherie Gruenfeld
Last month we spoke about helping your kids to enjoy participating in our sport and I mentioned that there are few things more gratifying than watching your own child in this endeavor. One thing that I believe does provide an equal sense of gratification is watching a kid do this and knowing that, without your help, he'd never have this opportunity. I'm speaking of “at risk” kids who live in an environment much different than that in which you and I live. I have some experience working with these kids and know the joy it brings, and I'd like to share some of this with you and perhaps interest you in getting involved.
I'm speaking about kids who suffer the “abuse of low expectations.” They don't necessarily need sports, but they do need someone to care about them. Helping them to participate in a sport goes a long way towards showing them that there is someone who cares and who expects something positive of them.
Here are some ideas that you might consider in finding and helping these kids. All it takes on your part is time and a desire to make a difference. For the kid, it might mean a chance at a life he thought belonged only to other people.
Getting Started
• Talk to your own children. They may know kids at school or at their other activities who don't come from the same sort of supportive home they do.
• Stop by your local YMCA or Boys & Girls Club and speak with the administrators there.
• Watch for the kid who doesn't have a parent cheering for him at your child's soccer game.
• Your workplace may have a program for helping non-profits.
• Look around. You'll be surprised what you see when you're looking for it.
Understanding These Kids
• Kids like this survive rather than live. And they are successful at this because they've learned not to trust many people in their lives. So expect them to be wary of you at first. You'll have to earn their trust.
• Earning their trust comes from delivering on what you tell them. Don't ever make promises you can't keep. Show them that you're one person in their lives who they can count on.
• Let them know that you expect something from them (i.e. being ready on time; giving their best effort). Praise them when they meet expectations and let them know it's not acceptable with you when they don't. Remember, they're used to no one caring when they screw up. Remind them that you do care.
• Don't make the mistake of thinking that your values automatically extend to them. What you believe is important may not mean a thing to them. The hope is that they will develop positive goals and values as a by-product of your involvement.
• It won't always work, so prepare yourself to be let down. Sometimes a kid's environment is too strong for him to break out. Don't get discouraged or give up. Sometimes you have to let a kid go and move on. Other times it's important to let him know you're not going to give up on him no matter what.
Both you and the kid will be “feeling your way through this” in the beginning, so start small and take it one step at a time. Just having you around, regardless of what you're doing together, will have an impact. Let it happen in its own time.
We live in a world of self-starting Type A personalities who set goals every day. Making one of those goals to share your good fortune with a kid who, by an accident of birth, does not have the same opportunities you and I take for granted is, in my opinion, a very worthwhile endeavor. And it has been my experience that it is also one of the most gratifying things that an athlete can do.
Take a look at a program, Exceeding Expectations, that works with kids like this at:
www.eefoundation.org .
Articles from Cherie:
Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race Part I - Part II - Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race - Analyzing the Last Season to Have a Better Next Season - Setting the 2006 Calendar - Breaking it Down - Something for Nothing - Work + Recovery = Peak Performance - Getting Back in the Game - To Race or Not to Race? - Kona Moments - PERIODIZATION Ð MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU - New Age Group Record at IM Arizona - Critical Success Factors for a Great Ironman - The Ironman Run: It's a Mind Game - Remain a Competitive Racer - What's This Race All About - To Every Workout There is a Purpose -
My 2008 Resolutions
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Looking Forward to the Future
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How About the Kids? -
Other Kids
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Become An Ironman
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Beware the Pitfalls
To have racing success
Back to the Future
Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3
Circling the Drain
Order MAP
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