My 8-year-old son, Ethan, recently took up chess at his school’s Chess Club. With little experience apart from a few friendly matches with our neighbor’s children, his first day ended in disappointment as he faced a loss.
To help him improve, my husband unearthed our old chess set from the back of the closet for a practice session. I’d mentioned that while I used to play a lot during college, my memory of the game had faded over time. When Ethan asked me to play, I couldn’t say no. After a quick refresher via Google, we sat down, both wearing serious expressions.
Surprisingly, I found that playing chess was much like riding a bike; I just needed to remember a few key terms, like “knight” instead of “horse.” After about 45 minutes of intense play, I had Ethan’s king cornered. “Check,” I declared. He pondered his next move, his brow furrowed in concentration. However, seeing his shoulders droop, I praised him for his effort and extended my hand for a post-game handshake, but he ignored it.
“Hey buddy, that’s not how we do it. You should always shake hands after a game, win or lose. How about a high five?” He wasn’t having it. Before long, my lanky 8-year-old was in tears, sitting on my lap. I wiped his cheeks and reassured him that losing is a normal part of learning. Meanwhile, my husband, who was lounging on the couch, whispered, “You should have let him win!”
Later, as Ethan got ready for bed, he couldn’t stop talking about our match. His tears had dried, but he was still caught up in the game, critiquing his choices. “I shouldn’t have moved my knight,” he muttered, “I could have sacrificed that pawn!” His regret was palpable, and as I tucked him in, he finally asked, “Mom, can you… maybe go easy on me next time?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Let’s think about that. If I ease up and you win, will you feel like you truly earned it, or that I just gave it to you?” He pondered this before responding, “I guess I’d feel like you just handed it over.”
I continued, “Now, if I play my best and you lose several times but eventually win, how will that feel?” He grinned, “I think I’ll want to scream with happiness!”
“Alright then, it’s up to you. Want me to go easy or play to my full potential?” After a brief hesitation, he declared, “Full out.”
This engaging exchange not only highlighted Ethan’s determination but also reinforced an important lesson: the value of effort and perseverance. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this informative resource on pregnancy and home insemination for additional insights.
For those looking for high-quality materials, consider visiting Cryobaby’s home insemination kit for reliable options. If you want to read more about similar parenting perspectives, check out this post on another one of our blogs.
In summary, allowing children to experience the reality of competition, while supporting their emotional journey, fosters resilience and a sense of accomplishment that is far more rewarding than a hollow victory.