March Madness With Kids

For college basketball fans, this time in March is particularly exciting – it’s March Madness, the NCAA playoffs. I’m a Tar Heel, which means I’m also a Tar Heel basketball fan and loved watching the Heels in the ACC tournament last week, albeit losing to Notre Dame (which by the way, why are they in the ACC again?).

Watching sports as a family is exciting. My son, who is 5, started to take an interest last year. It started with football, college and pro. He started learning team names and recognizing mascots. He also took a big interest in looking at scores and keeping tabs on who was winning. We’ve talked a lot about winning and losing, playing your best, practicing to be your best, and sportsmanship. Funny thing that keeps coming up is his resistance to be a Tar Heel fan. I’m really not sure how or why this resistance surfaced, although I do think my dear sister’s showing him the NC State wolf sign when he was about 18 months old may have had some influence as he’s already telling me he’s going to NC State, (which is my sister’s alma mater). I’m fine with that. His resistance has led me to realize that he is already developing his own opinions. Honestly, I love it! At first, I was a little saddened that he wasn’t going to be my Tar Heel sidekick, but lately he told me “I get to choose who I want to cheer for Mommy.” Well son, that is right, you can make that choice and you should. 

We influence our children everyday, but we shouldn’t expect them to do it just like we do or be just like us. Though I can teach him healthy habits, manners, compassion, strength and encourage a level of intelligence, ultimately he is his own person and has his own emotions, likes and dislikes. So if you’re a basketball fan tuning into the games these next couple weeks, enjoy watching them with the kids. Talk about the different teams, talk about the different colleges, talk about sportsmanship and hardwork to be your best. Then let the kiddos sit back and absorb, ask questions and start to think for themselves on what makes a team the best!

And if you want to go see some live NCAA championship action on the court, tickets are available for games at Time Warner Cable Arena second and third rounds this Friday and Sunday, March 20 and 22.