Comments on: The Ability To Laugh

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:25:06 +0000

First of all, I love to see when parents are so supportive. Knowing that your parents are there for you no matter what happens is such an important thing for a child to have. Never stop supporting her. I love the fact that you daughter knows that it’s alright to make mistakes. The bond that you have with her is amazing. Her ability to just laugh about it when something does not go the way that it should is awesome. Her determination is a characteristic that everyone should have. I also hope that the both of you will always have the ability to laugh whenever you can. Laughter is the best medicine. I wish you both the best of luck in the future.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:28:14 +0000

I love the connection you and your daughter have. Pointing to her and it meaning “you’ve got it” sends a far more powerful message than applause. Your daughters determination and the ability to laugh at her mistake reminded of the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” I know that when I used to make mistakes and get upset I usually gave up or didn’t try as hard. I applaud the support you give your daughter and her strong determination, especially since she is so young. Good luck to you both.

By: Maria T

Maria T — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 05:18:45 +0000

This essay is very entertaining, but it also conveys a very strong message, because it shows how different we are able to approach each other’s mistakes. Here we are able to see how the parents can influence so much in how their kids react to such events. For example the parents from the first gymnast would only acknowledge her if she performed well. The second girl was her own worst critic as she was disappointed even after a flawless performance. But Kayla showed a different attitude she was happy when she did well, and when she had to face her weakness and she failed she still managed to find the comical element in it. It shows us that in life we have two choices to either look at the glass either half empty or half full, and more often than not when we take a positive attitude things turn out to be better for us.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:15:59 +0000

You learn best from your mistakes. Having practiced gymnastics myself, I know how difficult, let alone scary and dangerous it is to land some of those moves. It was important for me to have some type of encouragement and support from my family or friends; that was what kept me going.
Over all I think that many parents are very hard on their kids. Kids will be kids and you need to love and support them in everything they do, even if they mess us. It is when they mess up that a child needs their parents the most. Sadly, many parents do not see this. Great essay.

By: Shira

Shira — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:41:55 +0000

As a former gymnast, I can say that during my competitions, I needed encouragement and my parents were always there to support me whether I performed a flawless floor routine or falling clumsily on the vault. This was a very real piece that shows a parent’s unconditional love for her child, even when she makes mistakes. The other set of parents who stood up only when their daughter performed well obviously had high expectations for her, and had a hard time when she failed. I like how you were able to laugh, with Kayla, at her mistakes; it is encouraging to a child, and shows them that even during their falls, it’s okay to laugh and makes them feel better about their mistakes and not take it so seriously.

By: Jerry Kokkinos

Jerry Kokkinos — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:47:08 +0000

This was a classic story between a mother and her daughter. It relates to so many people who were in competitions and sport teams when growing up and had their parents sit in the audience for support. The scene where you call the other parents show offs is humorous and very characteristic of how most parents would react unless it were their own child. It is interesting that you end up learning a lesson from your daughter that you can use in the future. Laughing at yourself is definitely a way to relieve stress and live happier, no matter what mistakes you may have to deal with. It is clearly evident, by the way you describe your daughter’s performances, that you were truly proud of her and yet it was a nerve wracking experience at the same time. You might have been more nervous for her than she was prior to each of the events.