10 Things You Can Do Today To Be A Better Sports Parent
10 Things You Can Do Today To Be A Better Sports Parent
- Understand the basic rules of the sport your child is playing.
- Listen to your kids. Let them guide their own sports journey. No matter what you do, say, or how much you push – they eventually will end up right where they belong. So instead, parent with joy and grace and listen more than you talk.
- Leave the coaching to the coaches. Don’t yell out instructions to your kid from the sideline. It is ineffective and distracts your child.
- Cheer on all the players on the team, not just your own.
- Don’t reprimand or give unwanted advice to your child when they feel frustrated after losing a game, or they make a mistake or play poorly. This is when they need you in their corner the most.
- NEVER shout insults or negative comments at ANYONE at a youth sports event, including the referees.
- Smile when your child looks at you in the stands, even when they have just completely blown it. (Hint: if your child looks to you to see your reaction each time they make a mistake, take that as a sign you are putting too much pressure on them. They shouldn’t be worrying about what their parents think in the middle of game.)
- Don’t spread gossip or speak negatively about other children, the coach, or other parents in front of your athlete.
- When you make a mistake on any of the above ⬆️, give yourself grace, own it, apologize, and move on.
- After the game, tell your child you love to watch them play.
