Good Sportsmanship

Follow the rules. Be sure your child understands that the rules must be the same for everyone if winning is to have meaning.
Respect referees and judges. The role of officials is to enforce rules and make judgement calls. in some sports, they decide who wins or loses on the basis of performance. Since refs can make mistakes, youngsters should learn to protest respectfully. to challenge an official's call, groups should designate one teammate to speak. It's important to state the facts calmly and clearly, then give the official time to consider. Whatever the final verdict, accept it without complaint and go on with the game.
Be considerate of other team members. A considerate team player doesn't show off, claim personal credit for cooperative efforts, or berate other players for mistakes.
Win with grace. Parents and coaches must teach children to win without gloating, boasting, and grandstanding. Begin by encouraging youngsters always to thank the losing side. A gracious winner will observe the polite traditions of shaking hands after a competition and complimenting losers on some aspect of their play.
Lose without complaining. Losing is disappointing but not an excuse for sulking, pouting or crying foul. Losers should always congratulate winners. It's very important that youngsters learn not to blame others - members of their own team, coaches, referees - for a loss, and adults must set the example. ~ Emily Post

My brother was awarded the "NCAA Division I Sportsmanship Award". Because of his award and growing up in a family of athletes, I have numerous "words of advice" on this subject! Kids look to their parents to see how to react to all different situations in sports! If you set a good example, you kids will grow up to have great sportsmanship!

Always leave what happened on the field, ON THE FIELD! There is no need to replay every mistake or bad decision the rest of the night. It will ruin your night (and those around you!)

A&M lost to Rice in the Super Regionals a couple years ago. I have watched baseball my entire life and have never seen such a poorly called game. Augie Garrido, the UT baseball coach, even commented on live TV while watching the game that he had never seen such bad calls either! A little background, my brother had melanoma at the beginning of the year and couldn't play baseball in the fall. He was just supposed to sit on the bench his senior year and be a leader for the team! But through God's miraculous healing hand, Parker played and played the best season of his life! So this was his last year, and his last game. Parker ended. . . probably the most frustrating game of his life and his last game with the A&M jersey on . . . with a pop up. 3rd out, Aggies lose and Rice goes on to the College World Series. Parker congratulated his many friends on the Rice baseball team, hugged us, got on the bus, and a couple days later joined his next chapter in life with the Dodgers. I was so impressed with Parker's character. There was another person I still cannot believe acted with such class! Coach Childress could have played the game "in review" or in protest from the 3rd inning. Then "bigwigs" in the NCAA would have gone back and viewed the game and made a decision on whether or not the officials had a bias during the game. Coach Childress did not make that call. After the game, he was specifically asked by the media about the officials. He calmly replied that he was not going to point fingers at who caused the loss, but that his team made some crucial mistakes and that Rice played a great game. What a graceful loser!

After you have won, act like you have been there before. If you "hoot and holler" and strut around the field, people are going to think you have never won a game before!

Remember win AND lose with class! ~ Elizabeth

Caring for Elderly Parents and Relatives

Visit, write or call regularly. One-on-one visits are wonderful, but phone calls, cards, and letters will also boost spirits and communicate that you care. Try to be regular with calls and visits; if a visit must be delayed or canceled, call immediately and speak directly to your relative if you can. When you visit, let your relative set the pace. Every visit doesn't have to be a talkathon; sometimes just your presence is the greatest comfort.
Encourage children in the family to stay in touch. Include your children in visits when you can. Prompt young children to create pictures or cards for their relatives. If you live too far away for visiting, older children and teens can write and call. Talk with your children about what is happening. Without clear and age-appropriate explanations, youngsters may become scared, imagine that the situation is worse than it really is, or feel that they are somehow at fault. Honesty is essential, and adults should never convey false optimism when a relative (of any age) is chronically or terminally ill.
Treat the person as an adult and an individual. Unless an elderly relative is mentally incompetent, he or she should be listened to and taken seriously, especially about decisions that affect his or her life and health. Physical disabilities shouldn't be equated with intellectual or psychological incapacity. Since the natural consequences of aging can be frightening for younger people, it's a good idea to do some serious research and, if possible, talk with a gerontologist or a physician who specializes in care for the elderly.
If your relative is in a health care facility, talk with the staff about his or her condition and progress. Ask what you can do to assist. Treat all staff members with respect and courtesy, but be observant. If you see or hear something troubling, raise the issue with senior staff or administrators as well as other family members.
Keep family members informed. A family "phone tree" - a plan by which people are assigned names to call - is useful when news, such as a change in your relative's condition, needs to be communicated quickly. ~ Emily Post

My Gigi was in a wreck this year. My mom kept a watchful eye on her the entire time she was in the hospital. As always, my mother was kind and considerate to all hospital employees . . . but she did have Gigi's best interest at heart . . . so there were a couple "changes" in doctors. Gigi is back home now and doing great! This post is so true. . . Gigi loves to have visitors, calls, and cards! It makes her day! She is one of the most social people I know. . . a year or two ago, when she broke her ankle, I literally had to go over to her house to screen phone calls because so many people called that her answering machine filled up and she could not take a nap due to the constant ringing of the phone! (but I am sure she secretly LOVED having her message machine fill up with well wishers!)
So here is your challenge! Sometime this week, call or send a card to an older relative, widow, or someone who you know might be lonely! A cute Easter card would be the perfect "pick me up!" There is no better time to show God's love to others while remembering the love he showed us by giving His only Son to die on a cross for our sins so that we can rejoice with Him in Heaven for all of eternity! ~ Elizabeth

Respect

"Respect. Respecting other people means recognizing their value as human beings, regardless of their background, race, or creed. A respectful person would also never treat a salesperson, a waiter, or an office assistant as somehow inferior. Respect is demonstrated in all your day 0to-day relations - refraining from demeaning others for their ideas and opinions, refusing to laugh at racist or sexist jokes, putting prejudices aside, and staying open-minded. Self-respect is just as important as respect for others. A self-confident person isn't boastful or pushy but is secure with herself in a way that inspires confidence in others. She values herself regardless of her physical attributes or individual talents, understanding that honor and character are what really matter." ~ Emily Post

My mom is the best at giving respect to everyone! She treats everyone as if they are special to her and has made good friends with people many others would just ignore! My mom developed a friendship with the Rice Epicurean "yogurt" lady! God works in WONDERFUL ways! My grandmother, Gigi, cannot drive anymore and we were looking for a driver for her to use various times during the week! Right when we were researching options, we learned that Roma's husband owned a limo business! Now Gigi uses his town car service when she needs a driver! Thank you, Lord!
Today, lets remember that people in the service industry deserve our respect. Allow people to make mistakes and allow them the chance to correct them. Give people the same grace that Christ has given us! You never know what special friendships will develop! ~ Elizabeth