08/26/2026
This time of year always seems to bring the same conversation. 👇🏻 🗣️
School is starting. Sports practices are underway. Fairs and livestock shows are still happening. And suddenly, kids who are involved in more than one thing are being asked to choose.
And that’s the part I struggle with….
We talk constantly about wanting kids to be involved. We want them outside. We want them working hard, learning responsibility, setting goals, finding their people, and staying committed to something bigger than themselves.
But sometimes, we make it nearly impossible for them to do exactly that. 💁🏼♀️
A livestock project isn’t something a kid picks up the week of the fair. These kids have been practicing too.
Their practice field might be a barn aisle.
Their equipment might be a halter and show stick.
Their teammate might weigh 1,200 pounds. 🐄
And their season didn’t start two weeks ago, it started months ago.
They’ve spent early mornings and late nights feeding, washing, walking, clipping, practicing, failing, adjusting and trying again. There are no rain delays on chores and no skipping “practice” because you don’t feel like heading to the barn that day.
And yes, sports absolutely matter too. 👏🏻 Our own kids play them. 🏑 We cheer from the sidelines, and we understand the importance of showing up and being committed to a team.
This isn’t about choosing one over the other.
Because…..👇🏻
FFA matters.
4-H matters.
Athletics matter.
Music, theater, jobs and other commitments matter too.
There is more than one way for a kid to learn responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, discipline and how to handle disappointment. 👌🏻
So maybe when those worlds collide, we can give kids, and families, a little more grace.
Because whether they walk onto a field, a court, a stage, or into a show ring, they’re learning to work hard, handle pressure, support others and show up even when it isn’t easy.
Different uniforms. Different arenas. Same lessons. 🙌🏻
Whenever we reasonably can, let’s help kids do BOTH! Right now, let’s give them every opportunity we can to discover what they love. 🍀💙💛
