How I Practice Parenting to Raise Life Champions

The great thing about the new year is that you get another chance at becoming the very best that you can be. Whether you want to be a better wife, friend, daughter, or mom, you've got 365 days to work on it!I want to be a better mom.Being a better mom can mean all sorts of things for all sorts of people. But the mom that I'd like to be is the mom who's more attentive to the needs of her children, whether these needs are actually communicated or not; who's more mindful of her thoughts, words, and actions, despite her busy schedule; and who's intent on helping and inspiring her children to become champions.Last December, I attended the opening of the 20th Alaska Football Cup Championship, one of the biggest sports events in the country which gathered over 422 teams and 6,150 players from all over the country, including Masbate, Baguio, Negros, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro, and Metro Manila.Some of the football players were only six and seven years of age, but already, I could see that they were not only disciplined and determined, they also knew the values of team work and sportsmanship.I was impressed no end about how the Alaska Football Cup could instill such values in children – through the trainings and preparation they learn how to become winners in life. This I vowed to do the same for my own.And so this year, I want to be a better mom to my children by inspiring them to chase after their dreams and coaching them towards success.I know that this is better than said than done. After all, I have three children, each of whom has his own dreams and aspirations, character traits and personalities. So my game plan is to coach each child taking into account his goals and personality.Coby is my college freshman. He's always been into sports, and is actually a member of his university's varsity team.Suffice it to say that the discipline and determination he's been practicing all these years will serve him in good stead. Still, there is no underestimating the toll that the demands of academics can take on his young mind and body.As his coach, I will not only make sure that he eats the right kind and amount of food, but make milk a part of his daily breakfast menu. I will also continue to remind him to strive for excellence in his sport while studying well.Zach selling hoodies at a Teen Entrepreneurship FairZach is my artist. He loves the theater. He loves making arts and crafts. He's into singing and performing.He creates with passion, but at the same time, he has come-what-may attitude. Because he's a happy-go-lucky child, he needs more motivation. He needs more help in developing his goals, and more follow through to ensure that he goes after them.Zach used to play soccer, and was a natural at it. Perhaps I can use soccer analogies when I do my “coaching sessions” with him.Our youngest child, Reese, is at a stage where she's discovering her prowess. She's a voracious reader and a prolific writer.She is also a budding kidpreneur, loves making arts and crafts too, and enjoys a game of tennis.My game plan for Reese is to expose her to as many different kinds of sports and hobbies as possible so that she could eventually discover those that she truly loves.Raising my children to be winners in life is certainly a tough challenge, but I am hopeful that the new year will steer me towards the right direction so I can raise kids who will strive to make their very own marks in this world.----This post was inspired by my visit to the 20th Alaska Football Cup where children competed with each other, all striving to be champions. Visit Alaska's website and Facebook page to know more about this brand's effortsto encourage sports and physical development among the youth.Website www.alaskamilk.coAbout the 20th Alaska Football Cup http://www.alaskapowercamp.com/footballFacebook https://www.facebook.com/PlayPH