Be the parent, not the coach. You are the only one who can play the crucial parent role.
Finally, no matter how much a parent knows about the game, no matter how great you are at strategy, no matter what fantastic input you have for your child, the coaches wanted you to hear this: there are lots of people who can be a good coach to your child. There’s only one YOU. What your child needs most is for you to simply be there for them. And if your advice or tips or instruction on the game are getting in the way of you playing that crucial support role—especially during and after a game—those things have to go.
One coach was passionate about this. He said, “We need to know that our student athletes have parents in the stands who are going to encourage them during the game. That is so crucial. They need to know their parents are there for them. And after the game, a lot of athletes are going to be emotional, win or lose. What I want parents to hear is this: do not start critiquing your child immediately on the ride home. All the child needs to hear on the ride home is ‘I really enjoy watching you play.’ That is something they need to hear from YOU.”
Yes, your kids are learning and practicing a sport—but they’re also learning lessons and developing character that impacts all areas of life. The lessons we help them learn as they pursue their athletic endeavors can have results that reach far beyond the world of sports. Let’s up our own game—and theirs—by both modeling and teaching good sportsmanship, respect for the coach, and the value of being a great team player.
Enjoyed this article? Visit www.shaunti.com for articles and research on marriage, parenting, and more!
See Shaunti near you! View Shaunti’s upcoming schedule of speaking events.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In