Explaining the Olympics to kids

Ok, so my oldest is a big sports fan. In fact, he generally gets things in terms of breaking news before I do. It is one of those things that I kind of laugh at--because I did the same thing to my dad! Anyways, as previously the Olympics four years ago were not really something he cared about, this is the first time that I have really had the...ahem...opportunity...to have these for him to watch.

Of course, this is not your typical Olympics (are they reaaaaallly ever?) We've got scandal, drug testing, injuries, murders, politics, war, I mean...are there any sports really going on here? Sure, the Michael Phelps story is one that should be for the ages, and the basketball and beach volleyball are my favorites, but having to explain all of the circus that surrounds the Olympics is...well....not exactly what I had in mind.

But--it is in our faces every day, and with the major news networks covering all of the stuff as well, you just cannot get away from it. The sad thing is that when you really think about a lot of sports out there, the drama and "circus" seems to be around that all the time as well...I mean, we are a society where Paris Hilton is a household name, and she's done ZERO...really, what has she done (the TV show with her sister doesn't really count, does it?)?

Regardless, my soapbox aside, I certainly have my hands full in talking about different things and trying to explain things to kids. It would be nice just to watch and cheer our fellow patriots on....but that's not going to happen...because that would not be news and grab ratings, now would it?

TAGS: Beijing Olympics, Being A Dad, Being A Parent, Olympics, Olympics 2008
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