9 WAYS I’M GOING TO BE A BETTER SPORT PARENT IN 2019
1. I WILL STOP SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE ON THEIR SPORTS. Some are fixed costs, like club dues, gear and travel costs. But I will do my best to reduce spending on private lessons and will take more advantage of what the teams have to offer for extra training and additional practices instead of privates. I will also make them more accountable for their stuff – water bottles, sweatshirts, balls, so we are not buying new ones constantly.
2. I WILL NOT BE A FULL-TIME CHAUFFEUR spending less time in the car and more time on things that are important to me like my work and getting into better shape. I will carpool more, create a more consistent schedule within my carpools, and workout during their practices.
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3. I WILL NOT CARE MORE ABOUT MY KIDS’ SUCCESS IN THEIR SPORT THAN THEY DO. They will drive their own bus – however much they want to push, I will be there to help them achieve their goals. But the motivating force will be them, not me
4. I WILL KEEP QUIET AFTER GAMES. Unless I’m asked, my opinions about how they played or observations about the game, I will keep to myself
5. I WILL NOT OVER-ANALYZE THEIR COACHES. They will have great, good, and bad coaches throughout their sporting careers. I will not make it my job to fix this when it’s not ideal.
6. OUR FAMILY WILL PLAY TOGETHER MORE. We will do more fun outdoor activities like hiking and running and playing sports together just for fun.
7. I WILL BE A BETTER ROLE MODEL by eating healthier and working out more – instead of just demanding they do.
8. I WILL MAKE INJURY PREVENTION A PRIORITY. With so many practices and games, we spend too much time on performance and not enough time on making sure their growing bodies are taken care of properly. Each of my kids has a program for stretching and building strength in weak and overused areas, but we can never find the time to do the 15 minute regimens. I will work this into their schedules.
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9. I WILL TELL THEM I 💛 TO WATCH THEM PLAY CONSISTENTLY instead of what they need to do better.
