The unique parenting perspective of a 'ping pong family' in Nghe An

Finding a common journey

Since childhood, Nguyen Thac Vinh has had a special love for sports, especially table tennis. Back then, his family did not have the means, so he and his friends in the neighborhood rolled down the wooden door, set up a net and enthusiastically played table tennis. His love for this sport was nurtured and grew on a homemade table.

Also from that passion, in grade 9, Thac Vinh boldly registered to compete in the city-level Phu Dong Sports Festival and surprisingly won a prize. Since then, Vinh's parents began to support their son's passion and allowed him to study, play and participate in tournaments within his ability.

“Even if you don't follow the pathsportI am not a professional but my ability and achievements are quite good. That is why after working, I am often invited by agencies and units to promote the sports movement. In 2006, after getting married, I decided to stay in Vinh to stabilize my life and participate in the movement in my hometown", Vinh shared.

Unlike her husband, Ms. Bui Thi Tu Anh - Mr. Vinh's wife, only likes cultural activities and never plays sports. Originally an accountant, after giving birth, Ms. Tu Anh decided to take a job and work from home to have more time to take care of her child.

Like most other mothers, in the process of raising children, what she cares about most is their health and education. She spends a lot of time cooking delicious, nutritious meals for her children, worrying about choosing schools, choosing classes and finding good teachers for her children. These are also the differences in the parenting views between Vinh and Tu Anh. Vinh wants to take his children to play sports more, to sweat with them on the field, while she wants her children to go to specialized schools, selective classes and devote herself to cultural subjects.

Recalling this period, Ms. Tu Anh confided: “The differences between the two viewpoints grew with each year of the children's schooling, making it impossible for both husband and wife to find a common voice. Until I realized that both my children and I felt tired of struggling to follow everyone's standards, I decided to change. After Nguyen Thac Duy (born 2006) - my eldest son - completed the secondary school entrance exam, I agreed with my husband to let him practice more table tennis for the child. For me, it was a wise decision. For my family, it was a turning point.”

With innate qualities, guidance from his father and absolute support from his mother, Nguyen Thac Duy and his younger sister Nguyen Tuong Vy (born 2009) quickly became small stars in the table tennis movement in Nghe An. For many consecutive years, the two brothers have achieved many great and small achievements in table tennis competitions at city, provincial and national levels.

“Because I don’t play sports, I feel like an outsider in the “common forums” and the journeys of the three father and son competitions. After many times of being frustrated because I had to wait alone for the three father and sons to compete and practice, in 2019, I decided to become a “member”ping pong", Ms. Tu Anh humorously shared. That decision once again opened a new journey for this sports family.

Play sports to grow up

Sports not only bring health but also courage and life experience, helping people grow and improve themselves. All 4 members of Vinh and Tu Anh's family understand this value very well.

For someone who has never played sports like Tu Anh, starting to play table tennis at the age of 37 was extremely difficult. Recalling this period, Vinh smiled: “Because I have practiced with many people, I understand the efforts my wife put in when deciding to conquer this sport. Although the three of us accompanied and encouraged her, there were many times when Tu Anh wanted to give up because it was too difficult and the gap in skill level with her husband and children was too big. The precious thing is that after each time she was discouraged, Tu Anh continued to pick up her racket and practice, being present at the club every day, whether winter or summer, rain or shine. Finally, after only 2 years of persistently pursuing table tennis, all four of us participated in the national family sports tournament and won the prize.”

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By playing sports, children will learn to face difficulties, high demands from teachers, strong opponents and learn to accept things that do not go as planned. When he was young, every time he competed, Duy was very competitive, easily felt hurt and always cried when he lost. At first, we also encouraged and advised him a lot. But later, my husband and I agreed to let our children reflect on themselves, gnaw at those sorrows and learn from their own experiences.

Indeed, time and experience have helped my children learn to focus on themselves, learn to control their emotions, and stay calm and courageous in the face of adversity. Up to this point, I am confident that my two children can courageously face many problems in life - that will be valuable baggage for them in the school of life. That is also the reason why I always tell people to let children play at least one sport.

Ms. Bui Thi Tu Anh (Le Mao ward, Vinh city).

One thing that is easily seen in Vinh’s family is the close bond between all members. That bond is built on a healthy sports spirit, tested in sports difficulties, and strengthened by a love of sports. That bond is strong enough to help the relationship between parents and children go through the puberty crisis gently, strong enough for the whole family to go to Hanoi to accompany Duy for more than 1 summer month of training at the Advanced Athlete Training Center, understanding enough to share the joys and sorrows in sports and life…

Up to now, the "table tennis family" of Mr. Nguyen Thac Vinh and Ms. Bui Thi Tu Anh has won hundreds of medals and dozens of championship cups in table tennis tournaments at all levels. On the family's sports journey, Mr. Vinh and Ms. Tu Anh often encourage each other with the motto "good harvest, good work". That is because, with the time and money they have accumulated, they prioritize their children, taking them to many provinces and cities to compete, investing in their training, spending time talking, understanding and respecting all their wishes... That unconditional love is the "fertile soil" to sow the seeds of success forevery child.