Remember, getting humbled by your momma builds character

If you ever find yourself Googling ways to teach your boys some humility, you probably won't stumble upon this gem in the top 10 results. But let me tell you, as a mother, it was priceless. Picture the sheer look of disbelief on the faces of 16+ boys (and a few husbands) when we brought the house down. Ah, the sweet taste of victory!

A little bit of why I enjoyed every second ...

My husband is always out there throwing ball or playing sports with our boys, while I prefer to be the cheerleader, photographer, or immerse myself in a good book. As a result, the boys have come to believe that their momma is not the sporty type. But hey, when the chance comes to surprise them and show your hidden talents, seize it! You might just discover a new spark of energy and feel more alive than ever before.

Last weekend, the moms stepped off the sidelines and onto the field, challenging our overly confident 9- and 10-year-old sons to a friendly game of flag football. I am sure you can imagine all the smack talking that led up to this day. The dads paused their regular season coaching duties; some settled into chairs, others refereed, and a few offered the little guys advice on facing their determined mothers. The boys' situation was like a small animal challenging a hungry predator to a fight and this was not a story of David versus Goliath. We came to teach a lesson.

Getting humbled by your mom builds character. It’s like a rite of passage and a lesson in resilience. Plus, it keeps you grounded. After all, nothing says "character-building" like getting schooled by someone who also made you eat your vegetables. Our hearts are overflowing with legendary memories—some of which we’d rather not relive. But raising strong and caring young men is our mission, and sometimes that means teaching them a little humility. Just because I’m your mother doesn’t mean I can’t outpace you in a race or outscore you in a game. Remember, if you can’t handle losing to your mom, how will you handle the real world?