Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

I wrote this on my Our Everyday Things’ Facebook Page the other day:

A child who seems to be helpless / out of control / ignorant /  challenging today, may be one who greatly and positively influences many in 20 – 30 years time.

Never look down on anyone who may seem to be a ‘nobody’ today, for we don’t know what’s in store for them in years to come.

…

I don’t know about you, but I really believe in that.

I believe everyone of us has potentials.

And many of those may (very most likely) have not yet been discovered.

A small child, especially, is not capable of doing or accomplishing many things.

Well. Not JUST YET.

When I see great leaders, I thought about how they used to be young and small too!

And really. Who would’ve imagined that a baby who drooled and made a big mess with his food 40 years ago could lead a country today?

And.

Who would’ve guessed that a toddler who seemed timid and only started walking at the age of 18 months could excel in sports 15 – 20 years later?

Not many, I think.

[What will little Vai be in years to come? It’ll be interesting for mommy to find out!]

…

Those thoughts crossed my mind when I saw this video on Youtube.

It’s a video clip made by P&G to honour the mothers of young athletes who participated in the recent Youth Olympic Games (YOG) held here in Singapore.

The mothers, who held their children’s hands when they learned to walk.

The mothers, who saw the children’s potentials since they’re little, and stood by them during the years of practice and trainings.

The mothers, who were there (by the pool, by the track, by the court) and during practice, meeting and competitions.

The mothers, who stood by their children when they’re feeling down during trainings, and supported them all the way.

(Btw, 25 mothers of overseas athletes were sponsored by P&G to come and stay in Singapore so they could support their children during the YOG! It must’ve been such an unforgettable experience for them all!)

…

Oh, if you haven’t already seen P&G YOG Thank you Mum clip on TV, go and watch it!

(I especially like the part where it said, ‘When they saw doggy paddle, she saw determination.’)

The moms of those young athletes who competed in the Games most probably didn’t expect that their children would one day participate in an event as big as the recent YOG (ie. if you were to ask these mothers some 15 years ago, I mean)

BUT.

I’m sure that they still nurtured and explored their children’s potentials ALTHOUGH they didn’t know what their children would be like in the future.

(It’s what we mothers would naturally do, isn’t it?)

And, when their children were chosen to be the few athletes sent to compete in the Games, I could only imagine how happy, tense, anxious, proud and overwhelmed they all were when they actually were there at the stand, watching and cheering for their young ones at the Games.

[If I were one of the athletes’ moms, I know I would definitely be super loud … cheering and all! Haha]

[We took our kids to watch Gymnastics at the YOG, and WE were cheering loudly there!]

…

Anyway.

I just thought of dedicating this post to all moms out there.

Moms who have endured morning sickness and labour hours.

Moms who probably just mopped the floor (again) after their kids spilled their drinks and food everywhere.

Moms who are feeling tired of receiving challenging attitudes from their kids recently.

Moms who make lots of sacrifices for their children’s sake.

…

Here’s to all moms out there!

Let’s remember that what we do today will not go in vain!

And let’s stand by our little ones.

Happy Mothering!