Should Every Kid Get A Medal?

Every four years the Olympics proves to the world that it's OK to celebrate the best. It's an achievement. So why, in all other times of the year we, as parents, ensure every child gets a medal? Why does kid competition have to be so fair? Should every kid get a medal?

Last year my daughter was in soccer—her team lost every game. We cheered her on and she happily played. But they lost again and again. Hey, she learnt to try her best, be a good teammate, and play fair. We discussed time and time again...someone has to win a game...unfortunately it just wasn't your team. Not only in sport—but in life...someone is going to have great skills or a better shot... and you need to bring your personal best to the game of life. We taught her this and she got it.

Until trophy day. Every child, on every team, in the league got a medal. Didn't matter if you had won all the games or not-a-one...if you showed up to play...you got a medal. And our lesson on personal best went out the window.

It reminds me of the movie The Incredibles when Dash (the super fast son) wanted to try out for sports and Helen (the super stretchy Mom) wouldn't let him because he would be too good (blowing their super secret of having super powers).

Helen: Dash, this is the third time this year you've been sent to the office. We need to find a better outlet. A more constructive outlet.

Dash: [sullenly] Maybe I could, if you'd let me go out for sports.

Helen: Honey, you know why we can't do that.

Dash: But I promise I'll slow up! I'll only be the best by a tiny bit!

Helen: Dashell Robert Parr, you are an incredibly competitive boy. And a bit of a showoff. The last thing you need is temptations.

Dash: You always say, "Do your best," but you don't really mean it. Why can't I do the best that I can do?

Helen: Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in, we just gotta be like everybody else.

Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of. Our powers made us special.

Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.

Dash: Which is another way of saying no one is.

(Credit: The Incredibles)

I kinda agree with Dash—in my own way. If everyone gets a medal—no one is the best.

The Olympics give us permission to celebrate the best. Yay for the gold medalist! Woot for the silver! Well done in bronze! Is this so wrong?

I am not a Mom who wants her child to be the best (um...see soccer story above...there is only personal best here). But I do want my kids to recognize and appreciate those who become the best.

It's OK to celebrate the best...even if it isn't you.