Emma, I read this and nodded along to my sort of similar situation. My younger boy, A, plays competitive soccer and is quite good (no elite level here, but good enough that he plays on the first tier club team and we travel often enough and he scores a lot of goals). My older boy, D, is a bubble of energy but not the athletic one. I find that the sports-obsession in culture, especially at a young age, is frustrating. I remember telling D that I was never good at sports, that I was good at a lot of other things, and that he'd find his thing soon... The last couple of years that has finally become true as he's discovered Debate, Model UN, Band, etc.
It's been so gratifying to see him find and excel in these activities and find his worth.
Oh it's lovely that he's finding his way. It's interesting as Fiver doesn't really have a 'thing' but she's ok with that. She's busy with work and college, and has a boyfriend, so has a busy life without a hobby as such, but she has I think found her niche in that both her work and college are about animal care. She's 18 now so it's possibly an evolution in life stage as well but it's important to know that it's ok that it's different for each of them isn't it 💕
It’s so important. They can’t help but compare themselves but we are all so different. My older sister auditioned for the creative writing program I eventually got into back in high school. She was so generous about it and cheered me on the whole way even though she hadn’t gotten in… She’s actually an incredible writer, and has so much teaching talent too that I lack. We’ve been each other’s rocks for years and years…
This was so interesting! I was surprised I was so gripped by the topic as I myself used to stuff a ciggie and lighter in my socks in PE so when we walked to the gym or did orientation I could stop to smoke 😆😳
I loved this peak into a world I never knew...ah, all except the perma-period...and I hope you write more on sibling dynamics and the family as a whole. Thank you for the photos too of your wonderful family. This brings up something I've thought about before...how would 'things' be if you spent a year or so in Anarctica?
This is wild, Emma! So cool. How you manage all this AND write is beyond...I suppose we all just manage whatever is (we) put on our plates. My son was into trampoline/tumbling at one point, and then parkour. We live in a small town where finding gymnastics programs for boys is a challenge. I remember bringing him to class several years ago and speaking to one of the managers at the gym. She said that some families drive a 2-hr round trip daily to bring their boys to bigger and better gym facilities. "That takes a special kid," she remarked, to which I responded, "That takes a special FAMILY."
Thanks so much Maria and I love your comment - it’s definitely a whole family commitment 🫶
Getting enough boys in is a perennial problem - she absolutely loves training with the boys!! Parkour sounds v cool 😍. To be honest it’s not the writing I struggle with, it’s my own health limitations - not easy! Writing is a bit of a sanctuary ❤️❤️
This is superb Emma, as Sarah says above, my mind is blown. We flirted on the edges of the professional rugby union world when our eldest signed a young players agreement with the RFU at 14/15 & played junior academy but nothing on this level. Huge Happy 18th Birthday to Fiver, she sounds incredible as does Taz of course. And huge hugs to you and your husband for navigating your way through this world of elite sport.
Aah thanks so much. They do blow my mind, it was hard to know how to describe it without sounding 'oh hey look at me'...! I think we exist in quite a peculiar situation at times and wanted to convey that so thank you for your lovely words. The girls do absolutely take my breath away, and we kinda come along for the ride ❤️
Thanks Bec, it is quite the experience!! My daughters are just incredible young women in their own right - I find it fascinating to observe how they make their way in the world. Facets of them that are familiar to me in my way of being, and parts of them that I can't relate to at all (like elite sport!!!) - I find it extraordinary. ❤️
Thanks so much - it's mindblowing to be in it to be honest!! It really is an absolute privilege to experience but it's utterly bonkers. Wouldn't change a thing but could do with going to sleep for a few years 🤣❤️
Emma, I read this and nodded along to my sort of similar situation. My younger boy, A, plays competitive soccer and is quite good (no elite level here, but good enough that he plays on the first tier club team and we travel often enough and he scores a lot of goals). My older boy, D, is a bubble of energy but not the athletic one. I find that the sports-obsession in culture, especially at a young age, is frustrating. I remember telling D that I was never good at sports, that I was good at a lot of other things, and that he'd find his thing soon... The last couple of years that has finally become true as he's discovered Debate, Model UN, Band, etc.
It's been so gratifying to see him find and excel in these activities and find his worth.
Oh it's lovely that he's finding his way. It's interesting as Fiver doesn't really have a 'thing' but she's ok with that. She's busy with work and college, and has a boyfriend, so has a busy life without a hobby as such, but she has I think found her niche in that both her work and college are about animal care. She's 18 now so it's possibly an evolution in life stage as well but it's important to know that it's ok that it's different for each of them isn't it 💕
It’s so important. They can’t help but compare themselves but we are all so different. My older sister auditioned for the creative writing program I eventually got into back in high school. She was so generous about it and cheered me on the whole way even though she hadn’t gotten in… She’s actually an incredible writer, and has so much teaching talent too that I lack. We’ve been each other’s rocks for years and years…
This was so interesting! I was surprised I was so gripped by the topic as I myself used to stuff a ciggie and lighter in my socks in PE so when we walked to the gym or did orientation I could stop to smoke 😆😳
haha that was SO me!!!! 🤣
We’d have been bumming (don’t like this word but it was so the word of the time!) smokes of each other 😆
Haha yes it was absolutely the word!!! 😂😂
😂😂😂
I loved this peak into a world I never knew...ah, all except the perma-period...and I hope you write more on sibling dynamics and the family as a whole. Thank you for the photos too of your wonderful family. This brings up something I've thought about before...how would 'things' be if you spent a year or so in Anarctica?
Haha I have thought about that myself several times!! More because of my health to be honest in that I couldn’t sustain it, but yes indeed… ❤️
This is wild, Emma! So cool. How you manage all this AND write is beyond...I suppose we all just manage whatever is (we) put on our plates. My son was into trampoline/tumbling at one point, and then parkour. We live in a small town where finding gymnastics programs for boys is a challenge. I remember bringing him to class several years ago and speaking to one of the managers at the gym. She said that some families drive a 2-hr round trip daily to bring their boys to bigger and better gym facilities. "That takes a special kid," she remarked, to which I responded, "That takes a special FAMILY."
Thanks so much Maria and I love your comment - it’s definitely a whole family commitment 🫶
Getting enough boys in is a perennial problem - she absolutely loves training with the boys!! Parkour sounds v cool 😍. To be honest it’s not the writing I struggle with, it’s my own health limitations - not easy! Writing is a bit of a sanctuary ❤️❤️
This is superb Emma, as Sarah says above, my mind is blown. We flirted on the edges of the professional rugby union world when our eldest signed a young players agreement with the RFU at 14/15 & played junior academy but nothing on this level. Huge Happy 18th Birthday to Fiver, she sounds incredible as does Taz of course. And huge hugs to you and your husband for navigating your way through this world of elite sport.
Aah thanks so much. They do blow my mind, it was hard to know how to describe it without sounding 'oh hey look at me'...! I think we exist in quite a peculiar situation at times and wanted to convey that so thank you for your lovely words. The girls do absolutely take my breath away, and we kinda come along for the ride ❤️
What a fascinating post Emma - and what an experience to go through as a family. Your daughters sound amazing!
Thanks Bec, it is quite the experience!! My daughters are just incredible young women in their own right - I find it fascinating to observe how they make their way in the world. Facets of them that are familiar to me in my way of being, and parts of them that I can't relate to at all (like elite sport!!!) - I find it extraordinary. ❤️
Wow! Great read Emma, if a bit mindblowing 🤯 at the hectic-ness!
Very insightful and empathic 💖
Thanks so much - it's mindblowing to be in it to be honest!! It really is an absolute privilege to experience but it's utterly bonkers. Wouldn't change a thing but could do with going to sleep for a few years 🤣❤️
🤣