Ladies and maybe a few guys!!  Is it me or has the era of remote controls gone crazy?

Until recently I had the remote control situation in one room of the house under control.  Whenever I decided to watch my favorite show or just jam to my favorite music while house cleaning, I knew exactly which buttons to press.  Well, those days are gone.  Hubby pulled a fast one on me and now I don’t know what the hell I’m doing!! 

He replaced the old receiver that was working perfectly fine with a “new” and “improved” tech device.  Now, several remotes later, I’m trying to resist the urge to flip that crap right out of the window and into the backyard pool.

OMG!!  No really!  I can’t get basic televison, music, indoors or outdoors, CD’s, DVD’s, or even get my iPod to play!!   Hubby keeps saying, “Oh, it’s easy!  Just press this button, then that button, then….”   Yeah okay, wink-wink- I got it!  Yeah right!   Until he gets a universal remote, I’m stuck like a fish out of water.  For the fellas or other remote control gurus who are reading this, go ahead and get your laugh on.

I’ve tried to learn this system and have sat attentively and patiently watching as he shows me step by step.  “Here you try.”  So I try, and he politely corrects and guides me through my missteps.  “There, see you’ve got it!”  “Maybe,” I try to convince myself.  

The moment he steps out of the house, I psyche myself up into thinking that I can get the system up and running.  NOT!!  Not even close!  I only get all kinds of stupid and odd sounds!  I hear beeps, whistles, and alarms going off, but not one darn picture on the TV or acceptable audible sound.   Now, I’m pissed off because I can’t get what I want and feel myself diverting back to a childhood tantrum.

I end up throwing the multiple remote control devices on the sofa and decide not to clean the house because it won’t be any fun without music or TV as background noise.  All kidding aside, I’m certain that the house has been cleaned less since the new receiver arrived.  No music, no cleaning.   Cleaning the house with upbeat music makes it so much more fun.  I get to dance, exercise and clean house all at once.  Perhaps when the floors get dirty enough, he’ll buy the universal remote!  I’m only kidding!

Out of curiosity, I asked hubby how much does a universal remote cost.  You know, I’m thinking I’m going to help him and help me out at the same time.  You know, surprise him with a remote right?  Wrong!  Them jokers or “the good ones,”  according to him, cost in the range of $500 – $800!  Are you kidding me?  Does it freakin vacum floors too?    Anyone who knows him knows that he has very specific needs when it comes to his TV’s and home theater systems and there’s no deviating from his needs.

My plan of attack is to write Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and ask that the universal remote be placed on hubby’s Christmas list. I’m also going to send Santa coupons and the eBay’s website link; at least I’m trying to help.   If Santa delivers than my problem will be solved. 

Meanwhile, my back up plan is to continue to watch the 13 inch TV in the kitchen and to plug my iPod into my portable Bose system.  I’m also going to try writing the instructions on index cards; if this helps, I’ll let you know.   

I feel better now; venting helps!

Two weeks ago my eight year old started his third season of football. He has moved up from Taxi to the big league of Pee Wee!  Once again, I am amazed at the demands parents continue to place on their kids to be the superstar.   Parents, can we all just sit back and RELAX and enjoy the game? Please!! 

Within weeks of practices and one scrimmage, I’ve listened to parents, mostly dads, screaming at their son from the sideline.  I wanted to stuff a sock in this one guy’s mouth. He disrespected his son as he screamed from the side lines, “You’re lazy!” How about this, “Hey dad, can you stop being a jerk! Stop the name calling and stop humiliating your son!

That’s what I wanted to say, but didn’t because I wanted to avoid a nasty confrontation.   He slandered and ridiculed his son and rightfully deserves the same treatment.   During sprints at the end of one practice, another dad was screaming to his son, “Move it!  You can beat every kid running out here!”

Are you serious dad?  Bulging and pulsating veins popping from their necks; sky rocketing blood pressures, humiliating and embarrassing their kids…  and for what?  Bragging rights!  Give me a break.  In the scheme of things, a young athlete’s performance at age 8, 10, 12, or older isn’t an indicator of a child’s success factor in life. 

My husband’s nephew is starting his junior year in high school and he is the starting quarter back for the high school’s varsity football team.  He recently told my husband,

“All I want to do is go out on the football field and have fun.  I know that I’m going to be nervous but I am going on the field like I’m on the play ground.” 

And that’s pretty much how most players feel.  It’s the adults who sometimes take the fun out of the game.

Some of your top athletes don’t peak until high school or well after. Some didn’t even play their chosen sport until college and turned out to be very successful.

I’ve also seen kids who, at the high school level, burn out or even worse, suffer from injuries and have scars from surgeries typically experienced by older adults– and these kids are still in their teens.  Some kids experience burn out and decide not to play in college leaving their parents stunned.    

When I watch my son play football, I have a ball!  While he’s in the game, I enjoy every moment and laugh a lot.  So what he misses a tackle, he’s having fun and is doing his best. When he breaks for water, he gets nothing but praise, encouragement and high fives.  When he’s on the side line, I’m busy cheering on the other young players and encourage him to do the same.

Quite frankly, I don’t want my son trying to be the star at the tender age of 8; that’s ridiculous!  I want him to sleep at night pressure free.  I don’t want him to worry about remembering plays or worry about maintaining his starting position or worrying about playing a specific position.  I just want him to hit the field running, playing hard, earnestly learning, doing his best and having a blast. 

Down the road, if my son decides to give up football and take part in another sport, I will support him.  After all, it’s his dream not mine.

Most importantly, I’m excited about character development and lessons that my son can gain from being a part of a team.  He can learn how to win and how to lose. Discipline, respect for authority, for others, and self-respect.  Self-control, strategic thinking, perseverance, and problem solving, all of which we strive to teach at home, but can also be reinforced and learned as a team member.  

My message to parents is to sit back, have fun and enjoy these precious moments with your kids. They don’t last forever and can never be recaptured. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Okoyep://www.short-biographies.com/biographies/AntonioGates.html