Stephen Curry is my man!

Let me start by affirming that I am a loyal diehard Spurs fan and Manu Ginobilli is my favorite player, but Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has earned my respect as a parent, as well as a talented ball player.  Did anyone see the news conference two weeks ago in which he brought his two year old little girl to the question and answer session?  Sports journalists were quite upset because it seems that his child was quite distracting and he was unable to completely concentrate to answer the questions!  Really, because this parent in the guardian renewal program was delighted! Here was a normal child interrupting with silly statements, crawling around under the linen dressed table and basically doing what most toddlers do.  I was absolutley thrilled that Stephen does not appear to have birthed the perfect, awestruck-by-the-media child who sat stoic on her father's lap as he answered the most ridiculous of questions about the game.  And I was even more excited to view a calm parent who knew at that moment who and what was more important to him than the mass of faces darting questions and expecting his full attention. I read that many journalists felt he should have left the child with someone else while he fulfilled his sportsman duty to review each play of the game in an attempt to justify a win or loss!  But bravo for Stephen for allowing his cutie to sit on her daddy's lap after possibly waiting in the wings while Daddy ran up and down a floor throwing balls in the air.  I am no Stephen Curry, and no one will write an article about ignoring vital questions upon which the entire world is breathlessly waiting, but I do know about a child that seldom allows for a non-distracting, all intensive conversation of give and take and all about the audience who seldom understands.  All my grandchildren including "S" want attention, make noise, crawl around, ask questions, laugh loudly, seldom speak in a whisper voice and love me.  They want to be with me, engage with me and be the special in the moment.  They can be quiet and polite when needed, but it always seems like when someone else wants my attention that they do too, especially "S".  My mother was the poster girl for the mothers who believed that children should be seen and not heard.  My face is more likely to appear on the "most wanted" poster for children who want to be heard.  I have realistic expectations for specific ages at specific times which means "S" misbehaves and I attempt to respond appropriately.  I believe that misbehavior is always a teaching moment, but I am not always the best teacher!  The simple fact is children are in a continual cycle of emotional, social, intellectual growth. Most of the lessons are trial and error and based on others' responses.  The parent, ( the responder) must engage in order to guide the growth in the right direction. And the worse part is that children are not predictable so you never know when you will be called to duty.  I used to apologize for all the interrupted phone calls, the questions or the need for help just when I begin a conversation, or the occassional act of defiance in front of others.  I ate humble pie so often that I was beginning to resemble a shrinking violet. Now I stand tall, have wiped the stain of embarrassment off my brow and join arm and arm with Stephen Curry when I say," I have to do what I can do, when I can, and whenever necessary."  It will not be on your timetable and it will seldom be on mine either.