No, Showing Livestock Isn't Always Supposed to Be Fun
Showing livestock is supposed to be fun. But if we are really honest with ourselves, like all good things, it has its moments.
It’s fun when the livestock stay healthy.
It’s fun when the trailer tires don’t blow.
It’s fun when the kids don’t fight (and parents, too).
It’s fun when it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold.
It's fun when you win.
But when the loss strikes, the animals get sick and the kids fight, no one can really say that’s “fun.”
Worth it? I think so.
I don’t believe anyone would argue that the experiences gained, lessons learned and time spent together with family and friends at livestock shows is what makes this one of the best activities ever. There aren’t that many opportunities for families to do things together where everyone plays a role.
But as the youth livestock show industry has ramped up in dollars spent and time invested, the pressure on families has grown, too. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone ask this question lately, “Isn’t it supposed to be fun?” – I’d quit my day job.
Are Your Expectations Realistic?
Our family has uttered those same words a lot, too. We’ve had some long talks about what’s realistic and what’s not when it comes to showing livestock. For example, our goal at every show is to win a banner. We won’t always reach that goal and that’s o.k., but we have to keep that truth in focus because it’s easy to get discouraged when you miss your goal.
Everyone can’t win every time. And you don’t set goals because you think you will achieve them. You set goals to help yourself grow.
I think that’s an important lesson I’ve learned and relearned over the years. As I think about the “wins” we fell short of achieving in and out of the show ring, I’m reminded that no one can take away the work we invested into that pursuit that have helped our kids grow important life skills they will need to survive in this world.
1. Resilience
Sometimes life isn’t fair. Sometimes we will fall short of what we thought we could do. But that’s where the real value of livestock showing comes in. Do we quit? Do we give up? No, we keep trying. We try to buy a better set next year. We change up our feed plan. We work harder. We spend more time in the barn. At the end of the day, we accept that it is what it is. This mindset goes against our world that urges us to quit when things don’t go our way.
2. Humility
In a world where messages like “you do you” and “make yourself happy because no one else will” ring loudly for the next generation to absorb, livestock showing allows us to teach our kids that it’s not all about you. When it’s only about you, you come up short every time. Shaking the hand of the kid who beats you isn’t easy, but it’s a lifelong skill we all need to learn.
3. Inner Confidence
We all know the highlight reel of others only shows part of their story. So why do we find ourselves continually comparing our lives to others? During this season of junior nationals and county and state fairs, we need to stop comparing and focus on our own journeys. We need to model the inner confidence we want our kids to possess by remembering where our worth comes from. It’s not from a ribbon.
Why It Shouldn't Be Fun All the Time
As a parent, I want my children to be happy. Who doesn’t? But I have to remind myself that winning doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness. Wins are fleeting – here today and gone tomorrow. Lasting happiness comes from the journey. And we know the journey will be full of bumps and snags and turns in the road. How our kids (and their parents) navigate those challenges is what will help build them into the strong, resilient young people we want them to become.
Because let’s be honest. Life isn’t fair and it’s certainly not fun all the time. I believe youth livestock shows are an excellent way to teach our kids some of the hardest and most important lessons they will learn in their life.
If livestock shows are truly about teaching our kids valuable lessons, then we need to accept that livestock shows won’t always be fun all the time. But if they are never “fun,” then we need to reevaluate why we do what we do.
As parents, we have to step it up. We set the tone at the shows. When the heat settles in, your best pig gets beat in class and your youngest loses their belt, take a deep breath and remember the true end goal.
I hope we can agree that it’s not all about the banner.
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