I swung futilely and vulnerably at the serves my then lover gunned at me from the other side of the net. We had walked to the local courts to play tennis. I had taken a few lessons years before and played casually at best. He grew up playing and had been on a high school team. He knew how to re-string rackets and defeat opponents. I knew how to keep score and hope for a string of volleys. As we walked over to the courts I remember thinking, This is good. I’m taking part in some of the things he loves. I can be his partner in recreational activities. It’s a nice evening. It’ll be fun to hit the ball around. But when we actually played it didn’t feel like playing at all.
It was him trying to impress me or beat me. He couldn’t stop slamming the ball at my feet in such a way that there was no way I could hit it. Our match was short-lived. I was emotionally done within minutes. He was frustrated with me and possibly himself. My sunny vision of us being tennis partners, enjoying a sport together, was wrecked. My sense of togetherness assaulted by his competitive drive. We walked home in quiet hurt.
Gunning for Kool-Aid Mom Title
I was reminded of the tennis fiasco because I recently felt a similar pang of hurt when I orchestrated a scavenger hunt for my children (ages 13, 11 and 9). I found the meaningful list (below) on Pinterest. I was excited to get the kids outside looking for natural treasures.
As a stay-at-home mom, I am always looking for ways to entertain the kids that we all find engaging. I thought I had a winner here, in the sense that we could all enjoy it. When I introduced the idea to the kids the first thing out of my middle son’s mouth was, What is the reward for finding everything? I said, I don’t know. Let me think about it. This was hard because I didn’t want to reward the kids for playing. I especially didn’t want to lure them with material goods or food. Honest praise and parental attention are the ultimate rewards, right? Turns out no, not in my family. My kids wanted a prize or they weren’t interested in doing it.
Kool Aid Mom Epic Fail
Where did we go wrong in their upbringing? Can I blame technology for its quick payoffs and instant gratification?
In my introverted mind, I assumed the kids would find joy in the searching for beautiful things. I thought time in the sun, poking under rocks and listening to the breeze would be fun. I imagined us going through the items they collected and oohing and aaahing over the coolness of it all.
These are the prizes that ran through my mind: 1. A box of Golden Grahams all to themselves. It’s the current hot cereal at our house. It’s the only sugar cereal in the cupboard. 2. Special time with me, two hours doing an activity of their choice. 3. An ice cream run. 4. $5.00.
I know #2 is the prize a Parent-of-the-Year type would choose, but that one had several things plaguing it. First of all, it’s difficult to carve out one on one time, period. Secondly, we’d have to think of something to do. And lastly and most significantly, the other two kids would be desperately jealous of the winner.
So we went with the five dollar prize. I know. I know. Don’t judge me. I just wanted to get them to do the darn hunt.
I gave them each a paper bag with their name on it, a copy of the list and a half an hour to complete their search. They had to find everything outside, no looking in the garage. They ran out the door into the gorgeous sunlit day. At first they stuck close to the house. They whined when I told them they might have to look in the forest for items. The woods are right behind our house. They didn’t want to venture out too far from the prize center? They didn’t want to venture out at all?
My middle son was back within 15 minutes, all sweaty and wild-eyed. Did I get everything? Does it all count? Did I win? He broke down into tears when I told him I didn’t consider a clump of dirt something fuzzy.
My oldest son reported in next. He had had a hard time finding something that makes noise but a few rocks in a glass bottle sufficed. He didn’t think he could find a chewed leaf so he picked one, chewed on it and threw it in his bag. That worked, but he was still missing something beautiful. Back out he went.
Both boys were back again with completed lists before my daughter was done. She came into the house anyway because she knew her brothers were already finished so there was no point in trying anymore.
I ooohed and aaaahed over fuchsia flowers and colorful rocks. They hurried me along, wanting to know if the item qualified as a check off on the list or not.
My oldest son couldn’t believe he had collected everything and there was no big surprise at the end. He had somehow confused a scavenger hunt with a treasure hunt. He asked, So there is really no treasure at the end? We did all this for nothing?
I stared at him, mouth agape.
It’s the Journey, Not the Destination. Aw, Forget It.
I said the fun was supposed to be in the activity itself – the searching. I mildly launched into the, it’s the journey, not the destination speech knowing it was going over the heads of my audience.
My own mother happened to be visiting and took in the scene. She announced, You kids are taking all the joy out of this. Where’s your good sportsmanship? Finally, someone who gets it!
As we cleaned up the dirt crumbs from the table and recycled the paper bags, I felt that quiet hurt inside of me again. I was disappointed in my kids. I felt the sting again of not being able to share a meaningful experience with someone. I felt like I reached out with what I thought was a fun chance to connect and play together but in return was slammed with an inability to see that as important. I almost felt stupid in my idea that they would like such an activity. The experiencing wasn’t important. Winning was.
As an introvert, I am often awash in the experience. My mind and heart are deeply intertwined with the moment I am living. Pulling me out of this moment to moment reverie is difficult. I despise interruptions. I resist rushing. I love, love, love experiencing and feeling. One of my truest desires is to share this intense experiencing with others.
Do introverts have high expectations for others? Too high? Do we try to make everything too meaningful? Do you become your highest self by being the best at something or by experiencing deeply?
** After thoughts:
The scavenger hunt debacle did serve as a springboard for a meaningful discussion I had later that evening with my oldest son regarding introversion, religion, relationships and over-thinking.
I should have made duct tape the prize for completing the scavenger hunt first. My kids find duct tape enchanting.;)
If you enjoyed this post you may also like:
In Defense of Introverted Parents (space2live)
I’d Rather Not Compete with You:For Introverts or Anyone Who Prefers Excellence Over Dominance (space2live)
Peak Experiences in Self-Actualization: Gifts That Transcend Your Head (space2live)
18 Things an Introverted Mom Wants Her Kids to Know (space2live)
I totally understand the feeling of hurt. I get that almost all the time, too. Especially when I organise/buy/do something that is meaningful to me, and that I feel the other person/(s) will like it..and then they go “meh…*brushes me aside*”
But in all honesty, I can understand why they feel or think or do things that hurt us like that. In our current world, EVERYTHING is about RESULTS. WINNING. It’s about money, and so on. I am also getting that way. I used to love to read as a form of escape, to let the words wash over me..but now I do less reading, more stuff that might help in my future (ie thinking/WORRYING about how to fit in in life, how and what to do next to have a happier life – one that does not include much, if any, human interaction lol)
You are a very thoughtful and aware individual.:) I agree that most things seem to be about winning these days. No one wants to fall short. We must be fit, wealthy, smart, active, achieving, etc. Exhausting. What about being? I believe there is a lot of contentment and satisfaction to be had in reading, daydreaming, reflecting, experiencing. Our culture doesn’t see that as winning or happiness. Winds could be shifting though…
If you can find a level of contentment all your own, do it. Don’t worry about finding someone else’s definition of happiness or “bright future”.
I am grateful for the opportunity to read this post. I can hear and so relate to your feelings of hurt. While not in so many words (you’ve given me a new lens, thank you!), I often find myself just wanting to connect and wondering why does it *have* to be about competition instead. I honor your honesty, your courage, and your truth, Brenna. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Competition, in my opinion, takes the joy out of some things. I don’t mind a little inspiring rivalry or competing against myself but competitiveness at the expense of someone’s feelings or experiencing something meaningful, frustrates and disappoints me. I’m working on letting it roll off me and/or finding other ways to connect. I appreciate your sharing. Maybe we are trying to connect with the wrong people or at the wrong time…
I like what Mema has to say. Scavenger hunts are competitions, so the focus is on winning not experiencing. Maybe another time, you could take your kids to a park or the woods for a walk and ask them to find “X” or look for “X” or just point out the things you see.
You just have to remember not to take any of it personally.
Never take anything personally – good or bad. I know this intellectually and am working on feeling it emotionally/spiritually. I do try to point out cool things in nature when I’m out with the kids. A few weeks ago I showed them their first bleeding hearts (flowers). Ooohs and aaaahs ensued.:)
Thanks Sandy Sue.
You have fallen victim to a common blunder. Were you happy with your choice to arrange the scavenger hunt? Was this what YOU wanted to do? If it is, then it was a success. All you can control is YOU. You had the option not to do that at all…but you did. The experience was yours. Your children had the option to participate or not participate. But, they did despite no real promise of a reward. Introversion is not the issue here. It appears to be your willingness to understand that your children have minds of their own. The fact that they participated at all proves that they love you even if you didn’t FEEL that at that precise moment. The fact that they do not experience life as you do has nothing to do with them. Parents often coerce their children to do things the children don’t really want to do. However, your kids proved that they loved you by doing it (albeit begrudgingly).
Thanks Mema.:) I did have the best intentions. I truly thought they would like the activity. I do realize you can’t make anyone like or do what you want them to. Lessons learned for me. Maybe I’m a little sad they aren’t as curious about nature as they used to be or I thought they would be. I didn’t need them to prove that they loved ME. I wanted them to share an experience with me and love the EXPERIENCE. Yes, minds of their own…
In truth, you don’t know what they FELT. They may never share what their true feelings with you. Children rarely spill the beans, but if you are present, and you keep those communication lines open, they may feel comfortable and tell you… Those are actually tough ages when they are learning how to separate from their parents. Maybe they do have aspects of introversion & DO SHARE the feelings but it isn’t cool to admit that they “like what their mom likes” at those ages…stay the course. My mother and I (as well as my stepdaughter & stepsons) fought like cats & dogs. I was in my thirties when I thanked my mom for a myriad of experiences I’d never would gave ‘fessed to at those ages. It’s testament to her (and I believe your) success in parenting. You want them to be independent and strong dontcha? Well, unfortunately, this is the price. Good luck & STAY THE COURSE. It does get better. Just remain open as they mature enough to share their enjoyable moments. They will surprise you…
Thank you for your honest wisdom and support.:) I always hope to keep the communication lines open with my children. I absolutely treasure the candid and open discussions we do occasionally delve into. I know I won’t be cool for a while. They’ll probably go through a “mom doesn’t know anything” phase too. Can’t wait.;) I will always be there for them. I look forward to seeing the results of their independent thinking. I look forward to sharing meaningfully whenever they are ready or feel compelled.