6 Ways to Teach Sportsmanship

Here are six things you can do to show your child (and other parents) what being 'a good sport' means:

1. Cheer for all the players, even those on the other team. What a surprising difference it can make around the edge of the rink and in the stands when parents make an effort to applaud a good effort or a fine play - no matter which child makes it.

2. Talk to parents of the other team - they are not the enemy.

3. Be a parent, not a coach: Resist the urge to critique. Children dread their parent going over their performance in detail, pointing out all their mistakes. Sometimes just being there shows your children what being a good parent is all about. Leave the coaching to the coaches: this includes motivating, psyching your child for practice, after game critiquing, setting goals, requiring additional training, etc.

4. Thank the officials when you are able. Find a few moments to compliment the officials for their hard work after a game (especially if your child's team loses) you will be rewarded with the pleasure of seeing a surprised smile in return.

5. Keep hockey in its proper perspective: Hockey should not be larger than life for you. If your child's performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship will continue with your child long after their youth hockey days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child's experience.

6. Have fun: That is what the children are trying to do!

'One reason kids love video games so much is that they can each pick their own level of challenge'. - Lenny Wiersma, Center for the Advancement of Responsible Youth Sports

Article adapted from US Youth Soccer Positive Parenting Presentation.

5 Ways to Get Your Life Back After Hockey Season

Now that 5, 10, 20 or more hours a week - not to mention national holidays - are no longer occupied by hockey, what do you do with yourself? Remember that person - you? Hockey parents deserve a mental and physical break, and we don't mean filling the time with spring cleaning. Here's how to get your life back on track for whatever amount of time you have off.

1. Reconnect with other hockey parents. To prevent withdrawal, ease back into your life by getting together with favorite hockey parents whose player ended up on a different team this year. Review the good and bad of the year, then commit to another topic (maybe, say, the NHL).
2. Reintroduce yourself to family and friends. Remember your high school friends? Neighbors, parents, siblings, coworkers? You're going to need those people when your hockey-parent lifestyle wanes, and it will. Host a barbecue for the neighborhood, have your parents over or go out to dinner with another couple. If you can't take the culture shock, invite them to a pro game.
3. Remember that gym membership. You worry about your player's training all year while your primary occupation is sitting. Sitting while driving the car. Sitting in the stands. Sitting at the pizza bar after games. This is the perfect time to shape up and return as next year's hot hockey mom or dad.
4. Recommit to your family. Go on a weekend getaway with your spouse, take the kids to the park, visit a museum together - if you have to, go ice skating. Just do something together that doesn't involve hockey.
5. Revisit your goals. Career advancement, weight loss, fitness, volunteerism, home improvement, reading... Whatever goals may be waylaid by incessant trips to the rink are ripe for renewal.

Sure, you don't have to let hockey drain your existence - you can work out, read and do errands during practice. But you can miss out on one of the most fun aspects of being a hockey parent - hanging out with the other moms, dads and siblings, and chatting about kids, coaches, equipment and more. If you're one of these hockey parent junkies, just be sure to get your life back when the season ends.