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Introduction to Brandlady.com |
How do you explain an athlete's taking drugs to your kids
L eading by example; Show all good traits in your own behavior and teach your children as well. It doesn’t matter if you are not Rodriguez, or Phelps or Bonds. You are still their parent and what they need from you is to understand that losing and winning are both parts of the same game. One of the most difficult feats is to explain to a child why adults fail to do what they preach is the right thing to do.  “I was under the assumption that I wouldn't get caught. You know, some people take those chances, and some people don't, and I was willing to take that chance.” – Dwain Chambers, former European 100 meters champion. “I feel good today about coming forward and being honest and turning the page for the next chapter of my life” – Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees third baseman. “I never used performance-enhancing drugs. My bulk and 762 home runs are the result of nutrition and weight training.” – Barry Bonds, Baseball outfielder. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment” – Michael Phelps, Olympic Medallist Swimmer. Leading by example; Sports is maybe the only example after As a parent, your task is difficult when it comes to explain to your children why Chambers or Bonds needed to cheat. Kids hang posters of famous athletes on the walls, wear their jerseys and behave like them because they aspire to be like them one day. So, when such vulgar scenes as an athlete been taken to the court show up on TV, you have to know how to deal with it. First of all, you have to explain to your kid that professional teams are out there to win. They are professionals, meaning they invest money, time and effort to recruit the best athletes, coaches and managers and achieve the best results. The lure of big-money contracts and endorsements strikes again. Athletes typically use drugs to enhance their performance and overachieve. In fact, overachievement means, apart from fame and glory, a bigger check in their pocket from advertisements and sponsorship. Adidas or Nike would not endorse their money to an average athlete because it doesn’t make sense. In today’s society, sports are business and business needs to be profitable. This is why Kellogg’s abandoned Phelps and broke the endorsement contract. Also, you should try to explain to your children that athletes are human, not the God. Although this does not justify their behavior, still it is a fact that humans take bad decisions and make mistakes especially if they are put under the pressure of getting more money and being more famous. Overachieving is a good thing when you can do it on your own, without the help of substances. Winning may be everything provided you can achieve it fairly and decently. Therefore, explain to your kid that it is NOT OK AT ALL to use drugs to get what you want. Also, you should try to explain to your children that athletes are human, not the God. Do not hide the truth for your children. It is better to see Phelps embarrassed on TV and all the media against him for his ridiculous marijuana picture than to continue praising someone who is an overachiever, but does not follow the rules. All these athletes earn millions of dollars at the expense of American people. So, the least they should do is to learn to behave according to what sports are: a fair game. Involve your children in the discussion. Ask them why they like an athlete and what do they think after this athlete has been caught using drugs. Your children may like an athlete only because he or she is spectacular, but it’s important to give emphasis to an athlete’s skills. No athlete is allowed to taunt other athletes, even if he or she has super athletic skills. Emphasize on what the media say about this athlete. Media never encourage doped athletes, although, to a certain extent, they also contribute to their glory. Teach your children that bad athletes go to the bench and get eliminated for quite sometime like Argentinean tennis player, Mariano Puerta, who got suspended for a doping offense for 8 years. Do your homework. Research some professional athletes who are positive role models for kids. Find athletes, who speak outright against illegal drug use. Do your homework. Research some professional athletes who are positive role models for kids. Find athletes, who speak outright against illegal drug use. Typically, good deeds are not so publicized as the negative acts of athletes, but you can emphasize on athletes, who encourage teamwork and fair play, both in their professional and personal lives. Leading by example; Show all good traits in your own behavior and teach your children as well. It doesn’t matter if you are not Rodriguez, or Phelps or Bonds. You are still their parent and what they need from you is to understand that losing and winning are both parts of the same game. It makes no difference if you lose or win, provided you play fairly. Winning is NOT everything; a fair attitude IS. 
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