22 Things You Can Do Today To Be A Better Sports Parent
Youth sports parenting is a journey we all navigate with no map or ‘how to book’ to help us find our way through it. The confusion, second guessing and doubt can derail even the most seasoned parents. And although there is no secret recipe to doing it perfectly, there are some simple rules that can help us do it better. Here are twenty-two of them.
22 Things You Can Do Today To Be A Better Sports Parent
- Understand the basic rules of the sport your child is playing.
- Don’t compare your child’s level of play, their size, or anything else. ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’ – Theodore Roosevelt.
- Don’t blame a loss on factors outside your control, such as the referees, the coaching, or another player.
- Leave the coaching to the coaches. Don’t yell instructions to your kid from the sideline. It’s ineffective and distracting.
- Cheer on all the players on the team, not just your own.
- Stop for ice cream whether you win or lose.
- Don’t miss important family get-togethers because of youth sports.
- Don’t spend more than you can afford.
- Don’t move schools, cities, or states for youth sports.
- Smile and cheer when you are in the stands. Don’t be that frowning, scrunched up face in the crowd when your kid has a bad play or game and looks over at you. ps. They already know they made a mistake, don’t make it worse.
- NEVER scream at anyone at a youth sports event, not the refs/umpires, your kid, their teammates, or the opposing team or coach.
- Don’t dress like an oversized version of one the players.
- Get to know your coach. Ask if they need help often. Be useful, kind, and supportive but not self-serving, there’s a big difference.
- Don’t praise outcomes; praise effort.
- Encourage your child to play multiple sports or do multi-movement activities often.
- Support, encourage, and elevate your child’s dreams, no matter how big they are.
- Make sleep a priority above all else for your child.
- Get a mindfulness practice.
- Don’t say, ‘good job, BUT.’ Just say ‘good job’. Let the coaches do the coaching.
- Make sure your child knows they matter – that they REALLY matter. Read ‘Never Enough’ By Jennifer Wallace
- Don’t spread gossip or speak negatively about other children, the coach, or other parents in front of your athlete, ever.
- After the game, tell your child you love to watch them play.