Let’s set the stage: It’s an early morning, and the air is electric with anticipation. You’ve poured hours into training, pushing your limits to prepare for this moment. It’s your first half marathon, and the excitement mingles with nerves as you pick up your bib and get ready to stretch. You think to yourself, Can I really do this?
And then the race begins. You remember the days spent lounging on the couch, scrolling through your phone, and now here you are, running (or maybe more like a brisk shuffle). This isn’t about being the fastest; it’s about setting a goal and achieving it. And guess what—you’re nearing the finish line! The crowd has thinned out, and as you run, you remind yourself that everyone gets a medal, and you can’t wait to flaunt it on social media. A selfie at the finish line with that shiny medal will be your new profile pic.
After crossing the finish line, legs trembling and breathless, you glance around for some acknowledgment. Where’s the volunteer with the medals? You spot a woman in a bright t-shirt, casually congratulating runners as she passes by. What? That’s it? A simple “good job”? After all the effort you put in, you expected more than a half-hearted pat on the back. You feel disappointed; you invested time, money, and sweat for a lukewarm compliment? No way. You’re not going to keep quiet about this.
Ah, the bitter sting of not receiving a participation trophy as an adult.
But let’s be real—adults are just as guilty of seeking rewards for participation, though we call them different things. Wine, binge-watching on Netflix, a new pair of shoes, even a nice massage—these are our adult versions of trophies. And let’s not forget about sex; it’s perhaps the ultimate participation trophy.
I find humor in the outrage over participation trophies for kids. If I’m going to face defeat—and trust me, I do frequently—I’m heading straight for the participation trophy booth. Give me a cookie, a certificate, or even a high-five, but don’t leave me empty-handed. If self-affirmation were enough, Facebook wouldn’t have millions of users checking for likes every day.
Yes, I’m competitive, but I refuse to be a jerk to children. Years ago, I volunteered to mentor a group of elementary school girls. Not all of them were thrilled to participate, and a few were downright resistant. Yet, at the end of the year, every girl received a personalized certificate and a small token of recognition. It was vital for them to hear, “I see you.”
There’s nothing more demoralizing than feeling invisible. No one achieves greatness alone. Acknowledging kids for their participation doesn’t mean they’ll be shielded from disappointment or failure. They will learn those lessons in time, and they’ll have the resilience to bounce back.
Children deserve encouragement and support, and yes, a little pampering. They will face enough challenges as they grow up. Until adults stop collecting their own participation trophies, I’m going to keep handing out medals like I’m Oprah—everyone gets one! For every child putting in effort rather than just winning, I see you. The rest of the adults can take a backseat.
For more insights into the importance of recognizing effort, check out this blog post. And if you’re interested in at-home insemination options, Make a Mom offers excellent syringe kits. For comprehensive information on pregnancy, you can visit the World Health Organization’s website.
In summary, let’s celebrate participation and effort instead of just focusing on winning. Everyone deserves recognition for trying, and as adults, we should lead by example.
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