Ryan went bowling for the first time a few weeks ago and she really liked it. So the Saturday before last, when my niece spent the night, my mom and I took them back to the bowling alley for the afternoon. We bowled two games, both of which I won. That did not make Ryan happy.
My daughter doesn’t like to lose (and by ‘doesn’t like’ I mean ‘hates it with every fiber of her being’). She’s a very sore loser, which I hate. So, since I think she needs practice at it, I make sure I never let her win. If she beats me at anything, it’s because she's better or luckier than I am. Unfortunately for her, that doesn’t happen very often. Unfortunately for everyone else, she inherited her dad’s ‘When Daddy (or Ryan) ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy’ gene. And I seriously hate that.
Ryan wanted to go bowling again on my birthday. I said I’d take her but I made sure she understood that if I saw any bad attitude, there would be repercussions (and by ‘repercussions’ I mean ‘punishment’). She said she got it.
I won both games again, both by fairly large margins (which doesn’t mean much when you’re bowling with a 9-year-old who’s only been twice before). Although I could see the attitude simmering just under the surface, she kept it in check and went out of her way to sound bright and unaffected. Then we got in the car and the following conversation took place...
Ry: Did Grandma used to bowl at this bowling alley?
Me: Yup. She and Grandpa bowled on a league when I was in high school. Why?
Ry: I think I know what happened.
Me: What do you mean?
Ry: I think they kept good records and they knew who Grandma’s kids were. And when they saw you come in, they planted a microchip in your ball. That way, when you rolled it down the lane, they could use a remote control to straighten it out when you were about to go in the gutter. That’s how you always win.
Me: Ummm… Ry?
Ry: Yeah?
Me: You do realize this is the Pigsknuckle bowling alley and not NASA, right?
Ry: Well, it works for me.
My kid hates to lose that much. She can more easily believe that the bowling alley is using alien technology to keep her from winning than she can believe she just might not be good enough to win. Lordy.
And I obviously need to talk to the guys in charge of that remote control... 'cause I’d really like to bowl higher than a 124.
25 comments:
Oh boy. :)
Oh dear. :(
Your 124 is better than what I can do. Ryan and I share the same distaste for losing.
When the ball comes back down the alley at her, I believe her. Not before.
My mates at the bowling alley said they'd never tell about the microchip. The chumps.
Maybe you should let her win, and then you can be the stinker and pout and carry on. Or throw every ball into the gutter and see how she feels about her victory. On the other hand, if her goal is to improve her score - if only by one point per game - maybe she'll feel better and more like a winner.
My mom was kind of a local bowling legend so whenever I went to the alley back home one of the first things I saw was always the trophies she won back in the early 80's. I still remember how giddy I was when I was finally good enough to beat her.
You have a stubborn one on your hands Ma'am. Of course, I'm sure you all ready knew that.
That's great! :-) lol, she's not the mean girl throwing elbows on the soccer field is she? haha.
LOL, I love Ryan's imagination! This was a great read.
I think it shows that she finds a way of dealing with something she hates the most; as it is better to vent it out than repressing it. And she does it with style, may I add.
She is just as smart as her mom.;))
This child is too smart for her own good!
Sounds like great coping skills to me.
:)
i have to smile,becasue as frustrating for you as all this sounds, it still sounds very cute.
xxx
Sophia... I've tried that. She's a bad winner, too. Funnily enough, she's not that way in swimming, which she does competitively. I was so afraid she would be, but though she likes to win, I've got her more concerned with beating her own times. Her father is this way and though she doesn't see him, it's clearly ingrained. We'll just keep working on it! :)
Heather... no, her poor sportsmanship is displayed in attitude alone (which is bad enough!). She knows if she EVER did anything like that, I'd never let her play anything!
WOW. She must have picked that up from George W.
That is one clever kid! Too funny ;)
Hey, you never know...microchips in crooked bowling balls could be the thing of the future!
Diane, Ryan has a great imagination!! I think it's kinda cool, in a way!!!
Microchips huh??? I should get me one of those when I am running. You know, to run faster and all!!!
Happy TUESDAY!!!
I hate to lose as well...but it has taught me to be a very gracious winner! I never talk trash on or off any playing field and I would let my son do it either!
Our motto was always...I let my game do the talking for me and We will get them next time!
My son struggled with "losing graciously"...he IS a better man for that struggle! To lose and have it bother you means you will develop empathy for others...unless you are a jerk to the core! :)
I love that she hates to lose!
That sounds like a story I'd have come up with! Sounds pretty feasible to me. Bottom line - you must be cheating. :)
Not at all competitive, is she?
I will never "let" my kids win either. I'll throw my game bad enough to give them the opportunity to win, but they still have to play hard and smart to beat me. And the best way to teach a sore loser is to encourage them to let younger players beat them, too. It isn't about winning, but about enjoyment for all involved (unless its rugby, then I step on da foe).
Ooooo. Now I know why you're a better writer than I. God implanted a microchip in your finger.
Yep, that theory works for me.
Yeah...THAT she didn't get from me. Well, maybe making things up to suit her own viewpoint, but not the competitiveness.
Geez I wish i was that smart in the fourth grade...
Micro chips in bowling balls?
Wow!
Lotsa love, M
I never 'let' my kids win either...lol...now they both beat me fair and square. Makes them very happy when they trounce me! Rotten teens.
I just love Ryan! A kid after my own heart! She is going to cause so much trouble (in a good way) when she is older! She's got quite the devious brain! Love the glimpses into her head!
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