I’m a competitive mom. Yup. I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m competitive at heart. It probably stems from my mom and dad and growing up playing rummy, scrabble, cribbage, and anything else that brought on a little friendly competition. Okay, well we called it “friendly”. When we won, we gloated. When we lost, we were teased. But it really all was in fun and it made me really enjoy the winning part, but still have fun either way. I also learned that I wasn’t going to always win and that nobody would just let me either. I needed to practice and learn more to get better at whatever I wanted to win at..(btw..a lesson missed on all these kids today that get a trophy for participating!)

So, now I’m a mom and I still like to win. The thing is, I’m not JUST a mom. I’m a Sports Mom. I’m a Sports Mom that likes to see my kids do well, and yes, win. I have learned that getting better is important and I know full well that in the end we are only competing against ourselves. We should always strive to be better than we were yesterday in sports and in life. I see my kids compete. The boys are still young and looking at the sky or the grass while the ball is flying right at them. My girls, however, are outright, full-fledged, in the throws of competing.  They go to practice and have fun with their friends and once in a while get frustrated, but, for the most part, they don’t care. They do their thing. And that makes me happy for them. Seriously.  I’m truly proud of them no matter the outcome, always. There’s just that piece inside of me… that obnoxious, annoying piece…

They have a crazy mama at those comps that is a mess inside!!!! When one falls off the beam on her cartwheel or misses her second back handspring on her floor routine, I’m screaming inside. When one misses something in the air or is a bit behind on a dance routine, I cringe. Right before the girls are about to compete, I’m sweating. My heart is racing. I might puke. I watch holding my breath. I’m a complete and utter idiot inside and I know it. I remind myself that neither of them is going to the Olympics. This is for fun and to stay active and they are both doing great.  I get it, but my brain resists! It takes me time to unwind after watching a routine, no matter how they do!  Yet, no matter what, they look happy as clams!  I always say, “Great Job!” and high-five or give them a thumbs up from afar. Still, inside I want to scream!! If they do awesome, I want to jump up and down and run up and grab them and celebrate. If they miss something or fall, I want to squeeze them and comfort them assuming they must be crushed! Their nonchalant look drives me crazy! I know it’s what we want. I know it’s humble and good sportsmanship and, if they weren’t like that, I’d probably need to have a talk with them lol.  Still, drives a mom like me crazy!  I can’t be the only one like this….surely I can’t.  I know there are more like me, but you just won’t admit it. Everyone wants to be nice, so damn nice. Well, admit it, like me.  We can both be competitive and obnoxious and I’ll still love you.  Come over and see who wins at air hockey or rummy or scrabble.  I’ll still be your friend if you beat me…just as long as you bring the Xanax to my kids next competition.