Proud of my Boy

[Lefty-Canuck]

This past X-Mas I bought my Son (he turned 8 in January) a little compound bow, hoping he would take an interest.

It sat in the package till a couple weeks ago I wanted to see if he could pull it back, it was hard at first but I told him to practice and try it 10 times a day if he could to build those muscles and get used to it.

So finally a couple days ago he was pretty happy he could draw it and hold it back. So I told him I would take him to the archery range. This afternoon was slow at work so I ducked out early and picked him up and we went out to Pipestone Creek Archery

So I explained all the range rules and we got right down to it. Well an hour and half later when it was time to go he still wanted to shoot! I was pretty proud that he stuck it out and wanted more. Even on the way home I asked him what do you want to do now? He said, " I want to go back to Jim's and shoot some more arrows!"

I should have prefaced this with my Son has been found to have ADD not ADHD but ADD, he isn't the fastest kid at school. He is very thoughtful and very polite though. So I was hoping I could find something for him to enjoy and focus on that can build his confidence level up. I think this just might be it....

Lefty

[dale7637]

I'm not a father myself, but it sounds like you have a great kid who can put his mind to something and see it through. That is sure something to be proud of. Good for you both.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Thanks. I don't want to push him too hard but after giving him the opportunity....seems like he took the bait! :)

Lefty

[Kev]

Good for you! My son is 9, and he is really into archery and guns. We picked up a Martin Leopard (I think) last year with a bag full of draw length modules from 23-28". I thought it would last him a long time, but at the rate he's growing, maybe not:)

[curteck]

thats awesome and sounds like he is hooked ,I have had my 2 girls ages 8 and 5 shootin as much as they want to, whenever they want to, in hopes of having a future hunting buddy !!!

[timba]

awesome,i got my little 6 year girl shooting her walmart bow at the 3d bear target.She seems to love it and asks to do it.its a great feeling when our kids love to do the same things we do.

timba

[horsetrader]

Congrates nothing better then when a father and son (daughter) find a common interest it's the start of great things to come

[Stop Staring at my Rack]

Sounds like we have a few future hunters out there! Great way to share your love of the sport with the kids..... hope they stick to it and keep practicing.... Congratulations !

[jimbo1]

thats awesome :) great to hear that hes enjoying getting into the sport

[bessiedog]

Don;t know if you've come across this, but there's research shoeing how outdoor education such as hunting really seems to aid kids with ADD and ADHD.
They seem to focus on all thats going on in the bush. As we all know... its a busier place than city folk know.

[Lefty-Canuck]

If you have any links in regards to that I would be interested in seeing them. Thats what I don't get about the "diagnosis" it came from the school. We took him to a specialist and she said he shows slight signs but nothing too obvious. I have a feeling the teacher is stretched to the limit in her classroom and doesn't have enough time with each of the "slower" kids, so its easy to toss on a label to get extra help in the classroom. I am all for the extra help if he needs it. I like that the archery is something he really seems to like, beats video games any day.

Lefty

[DarkAisling]

I'm so pleased to learn that your man-cub enjoyed his first day at the range.:) Remember to keep trips relatively short, and to get him out of there well before he's ready to say "Dad, can we go home now?" On some days that might be quite quick: if he's having an off day. But, it is much better to forfeit the fees you might have paid then to have him frustrated and having anything other than a good time if you're hoping to turn this into a life-long activity for him.

So much to say about some of the other stuff in this thread . . . if you lived close to Calgary I'd take you and the Mrs. out for brunch. I can not possibly begin to convey everything I've learned over the last 11.5 years in this format, and it would probably take several brunches to impart everything I've learned: as the mother of a child who was diagnosed with severe ADHD and severe ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) at four-years-old (and who suffers from ADD and dyslexia herself).

My little guy is announcing that he has woken. I'm going to get back to this sometime today.

[Lefty-Canuck]

^^^^^^

Thank you for your post.

I can appreciate any information that you can provide as you would likely know alot on the subject, from first hand experience.

To be honest I was surprised as heck he lasted as long as he did! I kind of lost track of the time, teaching him the safety rules and watching him shoot, making sure he was pointed in a safe direction (lol). Thanks for the advise much appreciated.

Lefty