My 10 year old granddaughter was in her school spelling bee. There were 16 contestants originally. She took 3rd so she’s going to city, but when she misspelled the word that disqualified her (‘pilgrim’...she spelled it ‘pilgram’,) she made it over to her mom and me with a brave smile on her face, then sat down and and buried her face in her mother’s chest. Mom wrapped her arms around her and Brande just quietly, so very, very quietly sobbed and sobbed. Poor kid!

Another kid had just found out that morning that he was in it, and he was soooo excited! You could see it! But he got disqualified at about 7th place, with the word “raccoon.” (He spelled it ‘racoon.’ Hell, I got it wrong myself.)
He also walked away with a brave smile on his face and sat down by his teacher…but after a few seconds, looking closely, you could see the tears running down his face.
IT WAS SO SAD!!!

My oldest daughter actually took 2nd in state when she was about 10. It was THE most nerve wracking, stressful thing I have EVER experienced voluntarily. There is just nothing quite like it. Even competitive sports don’t quite compare to a spelling bee. I was trembling when I walked in the room before it even began.

So, in your opinion, is this good for the kids, bad for them, or is that just life?

Topics: competition, happiness, lose, win, sad, heartbreak, spelling bees, joyful