Kids never listen to their parents, even if we sometimes know what we're talking about.

While doing her third grade homework a few months ago, my daughter asked me what 17 minus nine is.

"Eight," I replied.

"No it's NOT!" she shot back.

"Yes it is," I insisted.

Not until I drew 17 lines on a piece of paper and crossed off nine did she believe me.

But you'd think kids would listen to their parent - or aunt - if she were an Olympic champion, right?

Wrong.

Barbara Ann Cochran won the slalom at 1972 Olympic Winter Games in part due to her mental toughness. Ahead after the first run by 3/100ths of a second, she had to remain calm and confident between runs to hold that slim lead. She lost the second run by 1/100^th but held the overall lead. 

In addition to teaching at Mt. Abraham Union High School in Bristol, Vermont, and coaching kids at Cochran's Ski Area where she and her three siblings honed their skiing skills, Cochran now runs a business called Golden Opportunities in Sports. Her goal is to help athletes become mentally prepared to perform at their peak.

So I asked if she ever works with her two kids or seven nieces and nephews - several of whom are on, have been on, or would like to be on the U.S. Ski Team.

"I have a little bit," she says. "It's been a little funny with family. When I started doing this, they saw me as Aunt Barbara. 'What does she know about what she's talking about?'"

Er, well, um, quite a bit.

Although the next generation of "Skiing Cochrans" is keeping the tradition alive and doing well - including winning national titles, junior world championship trophies, and NCAA championship medals - next time I see them, I might just have to wag my finger and say, "Listen to your Mother (Aunt)!"