Let me tell you about my mom. She was a serious athlete, so good at baseball that a major league scout once mistook her for a boy named Joe. He told her coach it was a shame she wasn’t a guy, because she was a force to be reckoned with on the field. A shortstop who could hit home runs from a crouched position and catch like a pro, she was the kind of athlete who always brought out the best in others.
And then there was me. I entered the world all wrong, probably destined to be the least coordinated person in the family. While my mother excelled at everything from sports to dance, I was more like a walking disaster. I’d come home with all sorts of bumps and bruises from my attempts to engage with the world.
My mom once shared her fears about not knowing how to raise a girl. She worried that she wouldn’t know how to help a daughter who liked dolls and pink. But I was all about the glitter and glam! If it sparkled, I was all in—dresses, tiaras, and everything in between. My mother embraced my interests wholeheartedly. Even though I was no athlete, she coached me in a way that allowed me to shine in other areas.
After a few years of me fumbling through sports, she realized it was best to focus on what I loved. She introduced me to literary courses, theater trips, and other enriching experiences that helped shape my identity. She even supported my numerous attempts at ice skating, tennis, and dance, despite me tripping and falling more than anyone should. Each time, she was there, cheering me on and guiding me toward my strengths.
Fast forward, and I now have a son. Unlike me, he’s got natural athleticism, coordination, and awareness. While I know fashion, writing, and all things artsy, he’s out there hitting balls and running around. What I learned from my mom is that being a good parent means nurturing your child’s natural talents, and that’s exactly what my mom does for him.
When he started playing baseball, my mother jumped in to help him improve. After just a week of her coaching, his skills had vastly improved, leading his coach to ask who had taught him. My son proudly said, “My grandma!”
So yes, my son plays like a girl—specifically, like a phenomenal 73-year-old woman who knows the game inside and out. Coaches might mistake her abilities for a man’s, but I know the truth: there’s no one quite like my mom, who has shown me that nurturing a child’s talents can create champions in sports, the arts, or whatever they choose to pursue.
If you’re interested in exploring home insemination options, check out this post on intracervical insemination. For those considering starting a family, Make a Mom offers great resources on home insemination kits. And for more information on assisted reproductive technology, the CDC provides an excellent overview.
In summary, nurture your child’s unique talents and let them grow into their best selves. Whether they’re excelling in sports like my son or pursuing artistic interests like I did, every child deserves encouragement and support.