Comments on CrossFit Chronicles | The Smith Family: "Growing Healthy and Strong." But Why?

Love this. Also, I'm kicking myself as I read ...

2011-11-04T12:54:03.742-07:00

Love this. Also, I'm kicking myself as I read it. I was raised in a fairly fundamentalist household where it was instilled in me that all I needed to do was pray and everything would work out. Prayer is vital but without action, what is the point? So I am just learning these lessons now. At 27. Your daughter is very blessed to have you as a daddy.

Very well stated! I wish EVERY parent could read t...

2011-09-27T11:07:02.438-07:00

Very well stated! I wish EVERY parent could read this. This in unfortunately why our children are so obese. Everyone is looking for immediate satisfaction and the truth is you have to earn it and work hard for it. It's so much sweeter when you do!

Great post! Growing up, my parents refused to buy ...

2011-09-08T11:01:45.938-07:00

Great post! Growing up, my parents refused to buy video games and instead encouraged us to get outside and get moving, or engage in activities that would further our education. I think it's awesome that you're teaching your daughter to motivate herself, both through the way you are raising her and also through your own behavior and dedication to your goals.

Dr. Brown, I think you are taking one word "d...

2011-08-21T19:02:01.187-07:00

Dr. Brown, I think you are taking one word "dominance" used in this post out of context to make an unhealthy assumption that Alexis is only being taught to dominate. You are wrong...Can you not see that there is a complete balance in the everyday life of this child. How can you criticize the exceptional upbring of this well rounded child without knowing what she has been taught. Anyone that knows Web and Lindsey's parenting skills will highly disagree with your perception. What you have suggested in your advice giving in the above statement about teaching her to "enjoy full effort, to do things that benefit not only herself but others", well; Alexis has passed the course on "how to share". Alexis has an active lifestyle as you can see in this article. which includes everything you have written about, that makes an healthy, creative and happy child/adult. Dominace could have been a better choice to use in this case form. Dominate transitive verb
1
: to have or exert mastery, control, or preeminence....what's wrong with having these qualities inside or outside of the classroom?...You judged this post incorrectly, because the FOCUS as you said. isn't about dominance. The FOCUS is in this post, the difference in how he was taught to excell compared to how his daughter will be taught. In most of your post. you did not have a problem with other parents that pushed their children to succeed, but yet; you criticize parents that are raising a well developed child. There isn't a need to dominate as you so tactfully expressed, the need is; to give this awesome child the tools she needs to make a choice whether she wants to dominate or not.

I am not sure why it is you are training your daug...

2011-08-20T05:20:53.889-07:00

I am not sure why it is you are training your daughter to "dominate". That is an interesting choice of words, based in individual ego.

Why not teach her to enjoy, to give full effort, to do things that benefit not only herself but others?

I certainly don't know you, and can't make this judgment about you, so just asking you to explore: The focus on domination often comes from a feeling that the self is "less than". The need to dominate often comes from fear that one will stay or become "less than".

Kevin, you get it! Actually, I like the fact that...

2011-08-12T17:36:14.433-07:00

Kevin, you get it! Actually, I like the fact that my children disagree, it gives me the opportunity to go in depth about why I made certain parental decisions. Bringing everything full circle when telling the stories of my childhood which defined my style of parenting. I am convinced that when parents instill into their children respect for authority, manners, gratitude and looking into the eyes of others when conversing, you can make it in this big bad world. Back in my days, this was coupled with as you said, "playing in the wooded empty lots in the neighborhood." It's unfortunate that kids do not have that luxury today. For an example, before Web was three years old, he had more frequent flyers' miles than most business men today! This was my way of expanding his territory and to allow him to see the country most of his teenage life. Most people today do not get the opportunity to leave the state. I think it's important to encourage a child to do their best at whatever they desire to do, but the most important lesson I tried to convey to my children was, ENCOURAGE yourself. Web and Lindsey are on the right track with Alexis, I see in her the ability to decide rightfully the things she wants to do, seriously, she expressed her desires to dance, gymnastics and her love to go to school before her parents even thought to. Now, I agree with pushing a child to do their best when you as a parent know this is what THEY want. I knew someday Web would be a great writer and a sports fanatic....did I push him?..No!.....He would never have pursued them if I did.....I know my son. Ha!

It's a great question. Web is saying he would...

2011-08-12T15:29:55.392-07:00

It's a great question. Web is saying he would do things differently than his folks did; Web's mom is saying 'the proof is in the pudding'.

As a father of a 2 yo daughter and 4mo son, I am asking myself the same questions the Smiths are.

But as a child, I didn't want to be pushed. I loved my childhood, (yes, my nes which I had to earn money for and save and put $47 in the stocking Christmas eve in '87 in the hope Santa would deliver). Even so, nintendo was coupled with hours of free play in vacant, wooded lots in the neighborhoods that just don't exist in the 'burbs and cities we now exist in.

Parenthood is, like life, a series of tradeoffs. They are some of the most interesting choices, because they illustrate underlying values of the decision makers.

And, as a spend more time as a parent, I find myself regretting not calling my own parents more to express my gratitude for their work with me and to marvel at the journey from changing a child's diaper to holding intellectual arguments and respecting their differing opinions as adults.

I can't imagine my daughter disagreeing with me on something serious as a 26 year old. Hey, I changed your diapers! I make the decisions around here! Oh, wait, that was 25 years ago! What a strange transition as we move our children from dependence to independence, even (gasp!) of us.

Duh! Huh what? What do you not understand?

2011-08-12T09:15:13.983-07:00

Duh! Huh what? What do you not understand?

@Mom Huh?

2011-08-12T08:57:43.509-07:00

@Mom Huh?

Mattison, I disagree with the fact that Web starte...

2011-08-11T16:45:45.570-07:00

Mattison, I disagree with the fact that Web started speaking of his life at the age of 5 years. Web's strong foundation was built from birth. Look at him now, we did a great job! I have to commend Web and Lindsey for being great parents and I am sure my beautiful Alexis will benefit greatly. The strongest winds, the raging seas, the troubled storms, and life's adversaties has not and will not destroy the foundation Web's life is built on. He will arise!

@Mattison Of course you agree with my mom, I go to...

2011-08-11T13:19:33.393-07:00

@Mattison Of course you agree with my mom, I go to a new school. With a curriculum that lacks the egalitarianism of old. ;)

I'm curious what your Mom saw. I might be wit...

2011-08-11T13:08:21.135-07:00

I'm curious what your Mom saw. I might be with her. ;)

Love the post Web! As a future parent (well lets ...

2011-08-11T11:17:22.967-07:00

Love the post Web!
As a future parent (well lets hope) I find your parenting style refreshing and invigorating. I had parents that pushed me to succeed, but at the same time gave me unconditional love when I did not.

I can't wait for the CrossFit Games 2025 when your daughter dominates the field!