I have one memory of my son's sadness that remains with me.
Me ! of all people went to cub camp. There were about 50 kids and we were at a permanent scout facility
. We were tenting and I was with my son and two of his friends. The tent and tenting was chaotic. They had a hard time getting ready for tent inspection. Many good activities were organized for the kids.
One activity was archery. Supervisors took a few kids and showed them how to shoot with a bow and arrow. the kids plunked away at some targets and had a good time except for one kid. MINE!
When the activity was over and the equipment was being put away, I found my son in great distress. He did not have any success in archery. I could always tell when my son was in distress. There were sobs and tears. I suggested to him that we get the archery equipment and go by ourselves and try archery.
Brian is a lefty. Right handers were teaching the kids to use the archery equipment. He could not function from the right. It was hard for me to show him how to shoot right. Somehow we got the proper procedure. You guessed it. He nailed some targets and immediately he was happy with his success.
I will never forget how absolutely crushed he was by not being able to use archery equipment.
aww sweet that you made it all okay:)
ReplyDeleteNice, beautiful recovery Dad! Good reminder to note which hand is dominant for a kid for lots of activities. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThankfully there is more accommodation made for lefties now. I had a teacher at grammar school that would swap your cutlery back at lunchtime if you put them down fir an instant...
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome young boy he was. It was very compassionate and wise of you to take your son aside to help him with the archery. I'm sure it really boosted his confidence once he realized he could do it and do it well.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad story, I am sure there are others things he could do.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
You brought back a memory of me being at scout camp for a weekend. I was at a similar weekend camp as a Ranger leader as an adult.
ReplyDeleteRed, what a touching memory! Brian learned to hit the target, but you hit the bull's-eye in fatherhood!
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of a similar incident with my youngest daughter trying to learn how to play croquet. I was teaching her how to swing and she was getting her arms all tangled up until I realized that her being left handed and my being right handed was causing the issue. I concentrated enough to reverse my grip enough to show her and soon she was having a blast along with the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful Dad, Red!
ReplyDeleteLeft-handed people can often be subtly discriminated against. The very business of handwriting favours right handers. You did a wise thing there - taking Brian back to the archery area on your own. I think you must have been a great dad Keith. Does Brian remember that episode?
ReplyDeleteIch weiß noch wie meine Tochher als Linkshänderin Stricken lernen wollte. Wie oft haben wir geübt, immer wieder. Aber sie hat es geschafft und wir alle freuten uns darüber.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for helping him make it work. I'm surprised the counselors weren't more sensitive to the fact that his technique would have to be different, being left-handed.
ReplyDeleteAw, you did well, poppa!
ReplyDeleteThat’s a sweet story. I expect your son remembers this and always will. What a wonderful father you were/are.
ReplyDeleteThe world is made for right handers. I bet it gets exhausting to adjust all the time. You did good, Red.
ReplyDeleteyou are such a wise and loving father dear Red!!!
ReplyDeleteyou realised the root cause of the issue and solved it with little practice with your son ,hats off to you!