Teaching our children a winning mentality

Today I suppose it is not politically correct to encourage winning at all costs. Of course it’s the taking part that matters.

Well I have difficultly in getting that in my head. Children should be taught a competitive edge and wanting to win because after all this is what will make our top sports people, industry leaders and in fact almost every walk of life being competitive makes successful people.

Winning at all costs – no I don’t agree with this. Why? Well, I believe you should want to win and not be embarrassed by winning, but show some humility and respect for those you have beaten.

I have five children and the three oldest I always taught nobody remembers who came second.

My oldest daughter won the sprint race every year from nursery to the end of her primary education. Her desire was immense. In fact in her last race she slipped at the start, gave everybody a five meter head star,t but got up and beat all the opposition and won the race! Total desire to win!

I never let my children beat me at anything! You may think that is wrong, but I believe it’s not.

My son who I introduced to Xbox. I used to beat him constantly, but he went away and must have practiced and then some time later he started beating me now and again. Now he destroys me! Karma I guess.

My other daughter plays football and when I watch her play the commitment to win is all there. To see every year for eight years she has won  golden boot (top goal scorer).

All three of them have a winning mentality and this will help them in the real world because it’s a cut throat world we live in.

As for my three old twins I will be teaching them exactly the same lessons. Strive and try your hardest to win.

Winning isn’t everything, but when you do win it makes you feel good and as I have always said who remembers the name of the person that came second?