Bend It Like Beckham?

This past week Max started soccer for the first time. He seemed really excited for it, and I got a resounding YES when asked if he wanted to do it. So I was a little taken back when we went to our first game. Within the first two minutes he was crying and it didn't stop the entire game. First he cried because he wasn't getting a chance to kick the ball. Then after I told him he had to get back in there and just take the ball, he came out crying again because someone kicked him. Next he cried that the other team was too good. After that he cried that he wasn't good at soccer and he didn't want to play anymore. By the time he came back crying that the game was taking too long I resorted to what I think most parents do, I bribed him. I told him if he would stick it out and not come back crying until the game was over I would take him to a convenient store for a treat. That seemed to work and finally he finished off the game. So off to the convenient store we went, Max to get a treat and me to get a really big Diet Coke to revive me after the game.


WARNING:I feel the need to rant on something I discovered while at the convenient store. So Max had to use the bathroom while there. We went in there and while I was helping him wash his hands I noticed the poster they put in bathroom's on how to wash your hands. Now folks, I have seen these a thousand times in public restrooms but for some reason it finally struck me how odd these are. I mean what is our society coming to that we have to actually put a 20 point instruction on how to wash our hands. I mean is there that much confusion on how to do this act that they have to put these up? Not only that, but for those who these companies are putting them up for, they are obviously lazy and would they take the time to read the instructions? I was a little reassured that they put pictures to show you how to do this, because it did cross my mind that maybe those who don't know how to wash their hands, also may not know how to read. There was also a moment there where I panicked and wondered whether or not I would pass the wash test. I think I do it right but then again I have never had one of these signs in my home to help me check off the step by step actions that are involved in washing my hands. Which then made wonder if I should have one in my home to help my boys wash their hands correctly. I mean what kind of mother would I be if my boys were not capable of doing what every convenient store, fast food, and grocery store employee is not only capable of doing, but required to do! Yes people all of this crossed my mind all within seconds of being in the bathroom with Max. In the end I decided that maybe these were advantageous signs to have in public restrooms, and that I really hoped that the girl handling my precious Diet Coke had in fact checked off all 20 items required to a successful hand washing.


After the treat was purchased (chocolate ding dong's for those of you who were curious) Max was happy and claimed he would be willing to try harder next time at not crying!