Is there anything wrong with being proud of your kids?

If it’s okay to be proud of your kids, is it okay to brag on them a bit?

If you brag on your kids, should they know about it?

My best guess here is that there is a fine line when it comes to all of those questions. I’m still figuring the parental thing out, but I am constantly challenged by each of those questions. I don’t want to be “that guy” or “that Dad” when it comes to his kids. I do, however, want my children to know I’m proud of them for trying, competing and doing their best. Here’s an example….

Last night I got an email from my sons coach after their double header (one of the games was against a team called “Big Walnut”).

How about that #50!  Boy is he playing well.  His hitting has been phenomenal.  He looks great in the field.  And his pitching is also looking great.  He is one heck of a ball player.  One of the Big Walnut coaches said today that he has seen a lot of youth baseball and Austin is going to be a great one!  I hope he is still having fun .. it has to be fun to hit the ball that far right?

So what do you do with that? Do you tell your child an opposing coach thinks he has the opportunity to be a “great one?” Do you just file that away for a day when his confidence is low and he needs a little pick-me-up? Do you never tell him for fear he will get conceded? I wish I knew those answers. Here’s my best stab at this thing….

You build confidence in character, not athletics and accomplishments.

Character will then understand where compliments come from and what their true value is.

When this journey nears its end for me some day, I’ll be most proud of the character in my kids….not their athletic accomplishments. If they are great people, making a difference in their world for Jesus, it’s the highest compliment I can receive.

I’d be lying if I said that email didn’t give me a warm place in my heart though….

Your Turn – How do  you handle being proud of your kids?