One of these three medals is a participation medal. The other two are first place medals. Can you pick out the participation medal?
Sorry…. the one shown above is not for you. We don’t give out participation medals in 63Games if your bracket busts… And if you are not happy with that rest assured you will be better for it.
The participation medal in the group above was the most recent my daughter received. I took this photo before I threw it in the trash like I have done with all of its predecessors. After the end of each season I have had a conversation with her about the medals and why we are not keeping them.
This past summer my daughter won her first medal in youth sports. Her team, the cardinals, finished first in their league. After the joyous occasion I took a photo of her smiling with the medal. I also posted the photo for my friends on facebook.
The post had a lot of support but also some questions on the thought behind it. I never put much thought behind the decision, I was acting on what felt right. After 4 plus years of youth sports in our family I finally sat down with a friend to discuss my “Why” behind the decision to not allow participation medals. Here were five why’s.
The game is meant to be fun
The most important fundamental concept behind youth sports should be fun. An 8 year old should be out there to learn and have a good time. A medal at the end of the season just confuses our youth on what the purpose is. I therefore support the absence of medals all together at a young age. There is a place for competition in sports and it can come later, but if you don’t learn to have fun and enjoy the sport before the competitive days it’s a bust. Our children need physical activity and to learn to play a game and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately the fun comes last for many children and it’s very sad. I have friends who grew up loving sports, but now as an adult won’t step foot on a court or field to play the game anymore. Somewhere along the way it didn’t become fun anymore or maybe it never was. This season I found myself enjoying watching my daughter in her second season of softball. I enjoyed watching her because she was enjoying playing.
Our kids don’t need more STUFF
When did we need to get STUFF every time we did something? Party Favors, excessive gifts for birthdays, regular store trips, youth sports, etc. Our children have so much STUFF that it’s hard for them to place value on any of it. I would bet heavily that my children would not miss or even recall half of the STUFF they have if it up’d and walked out of the house tonight. Our children need to learn how to care for their belongings and to take pride in their accomplishments individually and as part of a team.
As a child I was very competitive in sports; however, I rarely found myself on a winning team. In fact, the only first place team I played on was an underdog who fought to make the championship game and scored 10 runs in the last inning to win. That one small medal for first place, that I got in 4th grade, is still a beacon of pride for me almost three decades after winning it. It’s the only medal I have from my youth and it’s the only one I need. The lessons learned from that achievement left a mark on my character forever.
The path of least resistance
Some children and adults cry when they lose that last game of the year. There is nothing wrong with that. If you cry you are expressing an emotion. The losing cry can often mean that you are sad that your team did not win. You didn’t play your best, made a bad mistake, or just couldn’t compete physically with your opponent. When your child has that emotion, they are feeling. You as a parent needs to address it with them. The act of handing out participation medals takes away that experience for our youth and it eliminates any bad feeling you as an adult can have for your children. You as a parent or coach needs to experience that feeling and emotion too.
If you are playing, and they are keeping score, then play to win.
My post could easily be perceived as an over the top parent who only will accept first place in my childs life. That is false, but I do believe in competition and performing at the best of your ability. When I play softball with my daughters in the yard, we are playing for fun. We don’t keep score… we just play and practice our skills. But if they are going to keep score in the game… First place is the goal. If my daughter would have finished second or third I would have let her keep it as well. The only other medal/trophy I have from my childhood was a third place finish at an AAU basketball tournament in Fremont, Nebraska. I value it as much value as the first place medal.

Comments
write my admissions essay help on essays cheapest essay writing
service essay writer service
mba application essay writing service admission essay services law school essay editing service help in writing an essay
discount essay writing service persuasive essay writer custom order essays i need help with writing an essay
good customer service essay custom essays usa college application essay
writers buy essays online safe
admission college essay help the help essay questions order
essay online cheap how to be a good essay writer
cheap essays for sale professional essay writers essay writing services recommendations college essay writing service
essay writing service canada can somebody write my essay customized essay writing top essay writing services
admission essay services custom essay toronto write my essay for money customer service essays
over the counter erectile dysfunction pills what type of medicine is prescribed for allergies medicine erectile dysfunction
essay help sydney reliable essay writing service best college essay editing service help writing grad school essay
male ed drugs: prescription drugs online without doctor – homeopathic remedies for ed
best rated essay writing service easy essay writer essay title help academic essay writing help
ed devices ed and diabetes ed products
ed drug prices: best non prescription ed pills – drugs to treat ed
viagra without doctor prescription amazon ed causes and cures drug prices comparison
ed treatment options ed products canadian online pharmacy
viagra 50 mg prezzo in farmacia: viagra originale in 24 ore contrassegno – esiste il viagra generico in farmacia
se puede comprar sildenafil sin receta: venta de viagra a domicilio – comprar viagra en espaГ±a
Viagra kaufen Apotheke Preis: Viagra Г–sterreich rezeptfrei Apotheke – Billig Viagra bestellen ohne Rezept
п»їViagra sans ordonnance 24h: Prix du Viagra en pharmacie en France – Viagra pas cher inde
viagra naturale in farmacia senza ricetta: viagra ordine telefonico – viagra 50 mg prezzo in farmacia
Viagra Pfizer sans ordonnance: Viagra vente libre pays – Sildenafil teva 100 mg sans ordonnance
sildenafilo cinfa 100 mg precio farmacia: venta de viagra a domicilio – sildenafilo 100mg precio farmacia
alternativa al viagra senza ricetta in farmacia: viagra 100 mg prezzo in farmacia – le migliori pillole per l’erezione
venta de viagra a domicilio: sildenafilo 50 mg comprar online – farmacia gibraltar online viagra
Prix du Viagra en pharmacie en France: Viagra gГ©nГ©rique sans ordonnance en pharmacie – Viagra sans ordonnance livraison 24h
sildenafilo 100mg precio farmacia: venta de viagra a domicilio – sildenafilo cinfa sin receta
Thank you, An abundance of write ups.
essays for sale college essays for sale
You actually stated that well!
write my paper for me cheap college essay writers extended essay writer
Viagra Tabletten fГјr MГ¤nner: Sildenafil rezeptfrei in welchem Land – Viagra online kaufen legal
Thanks. Lots of tips!
pay to write papers buy essays for cheap
Viagra gГ©nГ©rique sans ordonnance en pharmacie: Viagra gГ©nГ©rique sans ordonnance en pharmacie – Viagra sans ordonnance 24h suisse
Valuable data. With thanks!
i need someone to write a resume for me write my nursing essay writing college essays
Reliable posts. Thanks.
delaware online casino online casino free spins four winds casino online
Truly loads of great knowledge!
write your essay for you idk what to write my college essay about best write my essay website
viagra entrega inmediata: comprar viagra en espaГ±a envio urgente – viagra online cerca de bilbao
Whoa a lot of terrific knowledge.
borgata casino online pa real money online casino no deposit bonus codes real vegas online casino
Cheers, Awesome stuff.
pay for a essay essay paper for sale
Wow lots of wonderful advice.
gun lake casino online casino online free bonus no deposit riversweeps online casino login
Viagra sans ordonnance 24h suisse: п»їViagra sans ordonnance 24h – Viagra homme prix en pharmacie
how to create a vpn free vpn india what does vpn stand for secure vpn
Regards! Great stuff.
write my essay websites custom essay writers writing a good essay
buy a vpn router free vpn extension free vpn for netflix free vpn for torrenting
best vpn service for china best vpn for privacy best
and cheapest vpn free youtube vpn
sildenafilo 100mg sin receta: sildenafilo cinfa 100 mg precio farmacia – comprar sildenafilo cinfa 100 mg espaГ±a
comprar viagra en espaГ±a envio urgente contrareembolso: viagra para hombre precio farmacias similares – sildenafilo cinfa 100 mg precio farmacia
I just could not depart your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts
Viagra sans ordonnance livraison 24h: Viagra sans ordonnance 24h Amazon – SildГ©nafil Teva 100 mg acheter
is there a free vpn what is avast secure line vpn download
free vpn for pc avast vpn license file
best vpn location best mac vpn best vpn for firestick 2022 free vpn apk
https://drugswithoutdrprescriptions.com/# pharmacy without dr prescriptions
comprar viagra en espaГ±a envio urgente contrareembolso: viagra online gibraltar – comprar viagra en espaГ±a envio urgente
I just could not leave your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply in your visitors? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to inspect new posts
which vpn is best free vpn download for windows vpn for netflix free vpn browser free
viagra precio 2022: sildenafilo cinfa precio – sildenafilo cinfa 25 mg precio
should i buy vpn anonymously business class vpn best vpn for windows how to use vpn to buy crypto
best vpn for the money best vpn for mac best countries for vpn cisco vpn client windows 10
comprar viagra online en andorra: sildenafilo 100mg precio farmacia – viagra online cerca de la coruГ±a
best vpn location for warzone vpn for pc windows 10 free express vpn free trial best free vpn for roobet
Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up. “What passes for optimism is most often the effect of an intellectual error.” by Raymond Claud Ferdinan Aron.
do i need a vpn free vpn account best vpn for pc free download best free vpn?
https://drugswithoutdrprescriptions.com/# canadian drugs pharmacies online
I do not even understand how I ended up right here, but I believed this submit was great. I do not realize who you might be however certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger in the event you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Utterly written articles, thanks for selective information.
what does a vpn do best vpn for 2022 is avast vpn any
good vpn free download windows 10
vpn for firestick reddit best vpn best vpn for chrome free best vpn for warzone
free vpn client vpn for windows free best vpn to use free vpn for netflix reddit
cerco viagra a buon prezzo pillole per erezione in farmacia senza ricetta pillole per erezione immediata
https://viasenzaricetta.com/# viagra naturale in farmacia senza ricetta
pillole per erezione in farmacia senza ricetta pillole per erezione immediata esiste il viagra generico in farmacia
https://zithromax.pro/# zithromax buy online
real online real casino slot machines gambling
games online safe online casinos real money
gambling games online real money play casino games online for real money real online casino games paypal online chat
real casino slot machines online real money no deposit casino zone online casino casino free bonus
http://zithromax.pro/# buy cheap zithromax online
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and net and this is really frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.
free online casino to win real money real money online casino california online casino websites best online casinos us
top online casinos one casino online real money no deposit casino free play online casino
online casino with free signup bonus real money usa money online real casino apps that pay real money online casino free play
I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I?¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
https://clomidsale.pro/# cost of generic clomid without dr prescription
online casino usa real money best online casino gambling for
real money online gambling best online casinos for usa
https://doxycyclinesale.pro/# doxycycline for sale
triple diamond slots free williams interactive slots casino slot machine casino my jackpot
india pharmacy mail order best online international pharmacies india buy prescription drugs from india
prescription drugs canada buy online: canadian pharmacy online reviews – best canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy india india pharmacy without dr prescriptions india pharmacy
mexican mail order pharmacies: purple pharmacy mexico price list – mexican rx online
best canadian online pharmacy reviews canadian pharmacy checker certified canadian international pharmacy
best online pharmacies in mexico buying from online mexican pharmacy mexico drug stores pharmacies
canadian pharmacy no scripts: canadapharmacyonline com – canadian online drugstore
It is actually a nice and useful piece of info. I?¦m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
doxycycline 500mg: doxycycline online – doxycycline prices
cheapest antibiotics: best online doctor for antibiotics – buy antibiotics from canada
buy antibiotics over the counter: buy antibiotics from india – buy antibiotics online
buy doxycycline hyclate 100mg without a rx: buy generic doxycycline – doxycycline without prescription
ciprofloxacin generic price: buy cipro online – ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me. https://accounts.binance.com/ru/register?ref=T7KCZASX
buy cipro: buy ciprofloxacin over the counter – ciprofloxacin order online
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
get antibiotics without seeing a doctor: buy antibiotics for uti – cheapest antibiotics
buy generic zithromax no prescription: buy zithromax online with mastercard – zithromax antibiotic
cheapest antibiotics: get antibiotics without seeing a doctor – over the counter antibiotics
doxycycline 200 mg: order doxycycline – doxycycline pills
buy zithromax 500mg online: zithromax for sale usa – zithromax prescription in canada
http://overthecounter.pro/# over the counter laxatives
over the counter weight loss pills: best ed pills over the counter – over the counter pink eye medicine
phentermine over the counter: best ed pills over the counter – ivermectin over the counter walgreens
http://overthecounter.pro/# strongest over the counter painkiller
over the counter arthritis medicine: over the counter ed meds – over the counter steroid cream
At the beginning, I was still puzzled. Since I read your article, I have been very impressed. It has provided a lot of innovative ideas for my thesis related to gate.io. Thank u. But I still have some doubts, can you help me? Thanks.
http://overthecounter.pro/# over the counter antibiotics for tooth infection
best erectile dysfunction pills: ed pills for sale – medication for ed
how to cure ed ed drugs compared ed pills gnc
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://accounts.binance.com/pt-PT/register?ref=JHQQKNKN
online prescriptions canada without: canadian online pharmacies ratings – canadian pharmacies for viagra
pills erectile dysfunction top rated ed pills best ed pill
buy ed pills online: over the counter erectile dysfunction pills – treatments for ed
https://edpills.pro/# ed pills
men’s ed pills: buy erection pills – pills for ed
cheapest ed pills online natural ed remedies compare ed drugs
http://indianpharmacy.pro/# best online pharmacy india
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
https://indianpharmacy.pro/# indian pharmacy online
top 10 online pharmacy in india buy prescription drugs from india indian pharmacy
https://indianpharmacy.pro/# top 10 pharmacies in india
http://indianpharmacy.pro/# top 10 online pharmacy in india
https://indianpharmacy.pro/# best online pharmacy india
http://indianpharmacy.pro/# п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
http://edmeds.pro/# ed meds
india pharmacy mail order: us online pharmacy – trusted online pharmacy
http://fastdeliverypill.com/# mexican pharmacies
online ed medication no prescription – meds without a doctor s prescription canada legitimate canadian mail order pharmacy
canadian discount cialis drugs without a doctor s prescription reliable online pharmacies
medication online – drugs without a doctor s prescription discount online pharmacy
http://fastdeliverypill.com/# prescription drugs online without
discount pharmaceuticals – order prescription medicine online without prescription canadian pharmacy ed medications
https://fastdeliverypill.com/# online pharmacy no prescription necessary
cheapest viagra canadian pharmacy – legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies online pharmacy no prescriptions
canadian drug mart pharmacy – medicine from canada with no prescriptions best online canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacy testosterone meds without a doctor s prescription canada highest rated canadian pharmacies
https://fastdeliverypill.com/# order canadian drugs
online pharmacy no prescription necessary – canadian pharmacy shop thecanadianpharmacy com
canadian pharmaceuticals online safe – canadian pharmacies that ship to us perscription drugs without perscription
https://fastdeliverypill.com/# prescription drug discounts
india pharmacy mail order: п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india – indian pharmacy paypal
purchase brand cialis cialis with dapoxetine overnight delivery australia australia cialis on line
http://pharmacyindia.pro/# top online pharmacy india
top 10 pharmacies in india: indian pharmacy – india online pharmacy
mail order pharmacy india buy prescription drugs from india india online pharmacy
canada discount pharmacy: maple leaf pharmacy in canada – reliable canadian pharmacy reviews
https://canadiandrugs.pro/# buy drugs from canada
purchase cialis online cheap cialis cialis australia no prescription
india online pharmacy: mail order pharmacy india – top online pharmacy india
https://canadiandrugs.pro/# www canadianonlinepharmacy
canadian online drugstore precription drugs from canada canadian neighbor pharmacy
reddit canadian pharmacy: legitimate canadian mail order pharmacy – canadian pharmacy prices
http://cialiswithoutprescription.pro/# trial pack cialis viagra levitro
https://pharmacyindia.pro/# online pharmacy india
cialis pills overnight buy Tadalafil 20mg order cialis no prescription
vipps approved canadian online pharmacy: best mail order pharmacy canada – canada pharmacy 24h
https://canadiandrugs.pro/# medication canadian pharmacy
where to get cytotec pills: buy cytotec pills – how to get cytotec online
order cytotec online buy misoprostol over the counter where to get cytotec pills
https://cytotecpills.pro/# purchase cytotec
prednisone 10 tablet: prednisone over the counter – prednisone cost us
http://prednisonepills.pro/# 40 mg prednisone pill
I have read your article carefully and I agree with you very much. This has provided a great help for my thesis writing, and I will seriously improve it. However, I don’t know much about a certain place. Can you help me? https://www.gate.io/pt/signup/XwNAU
I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.