A Secret Trick To Keeping Your Sanity At Your Child’s Next Game
A Secret Trick To Keeping Your Sanity At Your Child’s Next Game. A few weeks ago, my 70-year-old mother was in town visiting, and I forgot our sunshade during a VERY hot afternoon soccer game. Our only choice was to sit on the outer rim of the field where a tree was kind enough to block out part of the sun. What seemed like a bummer at the time turned into one of the most important gifts I could ever have imagined.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHY YOU NEED TO STOP YELLING AT GAMES
We watched the entire game as outsiders, set apart from the energy of the other parents. And by stepping outside of this sports-parenting vortex, an interesting phenomenon occurred. We became observers, detached viewers with no stake in the game. We enjoyed it but didn’t get swallowed up in it. It removed all of the highs and lows I typically feel during a game. We were safe from the dad who screams incessantly at his daughter or the parents who always know better than the coach, or the pacer – anxiously parading up and down the sidelines, making their case to the rest of us. It was nice not being privy to the jeering whenever our parents clearly felt wronged by the referees. No, from our perch far away from the sideline, it was hard to know if my daughter was out of position or not. If she had a great play or whether possibly it was another child. But we saw enough. We witnessed an amazing goal off a corner kick and then got excited and nervous as the other team raced down and almost tied it up. But we had no parental “energy” swirling around us, affecting our moods and thoughts about the game. It was such a relief. It became my daughter’s event solely, as it should be, not mine. After the game, I hugged her and congratulated her with no agenda about how she played. It was a breath of fresh air for both of us.
WHY IS OUR FAMILY OK WITH OUR SON’S CRAZY SPORTS SCHEDULE
Since that day, I have consistently searched out these sorts of spots to watch the game. And it doesn’t matter what sport it is. I find a nook away from the crowd. I find this keeps me from getting caught up in the “sports parent energy” and also keeps me out of earshot when my kids aren’t playing well and I let out an exasperated sigh or say their their name sternly. Two things I am always working on. It’s a win-win for everyone.
**Update to original post. A reader offered up a very good alternative…
