Let's hear it for the average kid

Having a 12-year-old daughter, I'm in the thick of sports tryouts, musical auditions, and school invitationals. We are getting the whole experience of working hard and dealing with disappointment. I firmly believe in growing through life experiences such as not making the team, bombing a test, or forgetting your line in an audition. These experiences build character and prepare our kiddos for a lifetime of extreme excitement and extreme disappointment. All of which we, as adults, have experienced. 

But something that doesn't sit well with me as a parent is the lack of space in sports, music, art programs, and school activities for the "average kid." This would include my daughter, the kid down the street, the boy sitting in the pew in front of us at church, and probably your kid. 

What does an average kid look like? 

It's a kid who...

• Drags their feet getting to school in the morning, but when there, are focused, trying their best, and respectful to staff.
• Participates in rec sports to stay active and be a part of a team, but doesn't score the goals. 
• Sometimes talks back to their parents, but do their chores, help around the house, and love their family.
• Practices at something they love (singing, an instrument, a sport, drawing) to get better but will never be the best. 
• Holds the door open for the person behind them, shovels the elderly neighbor's driveway, and empathizes with those around them. 
• They spend too much time on their phones, electronics, and TV, but they are the first to ask for a family game night or hang out with friends. 
• They don't spend 6 days a week practicing a sport, studying, or singing on a stage so they can continue to be an average kid. 

In this context, I don't want the word "average" to be seen as unfavorable. In fact, I hope it can be celebrated. You won't read about my daughter in the newspaper for crushing a record or see her in the news for winning a prestigious award. But when you see her being nice to someone or serving her community, you could give her a little nod. Or the kid who mows the neighbor's law just because, or asks the unpopular kid at lunch to sit with him, send him a note letting him know he is seen. 

Our society has become obsessed with being the best, standing above the rest, and being 1 in a million. Let's be honest. The odds of our kid becoming a superstar in anything is very slim. There are 7 billion people on this Earth. Let the numbers speak for themselves. They're some incredibly talented kids out there. We see them and hear about them all the time. We celebrate along with them in their accomplishments! Let's do the same for kids whose talents look different or aren't the status quo. 

I saw a news release today celebrating a bowling team winning a state championship. How awesome and not something we hear a lot about. Many of you reading this are "average adults" who were probably once "average kids." Let's not give too much attention to being the best at something, rather let's help out kiddos be their best selves instead. I'm 35 and just discovered who I am, what I love to do, and what I'm good at. None of which I knew at 12 years old or would have celebrated. 

My one request to those reading this...give this generation a chance to be kids, let go of the pressure, and simply be. 

Sincerely the average mom of an average kid.