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It's an incredible gift to see your child participate in youth sports and a thrill to see them be successful. For many sports parents, we want so badly to see them succeed that we can easily become a little too invested, willing that to happen through our words or actions from our place on the sideline. While our hearts are often in the right place, this enthusiasm can be counterproductive to a child's development.
So how should we react? In this week's video, Play Like a Champion Program Director Kristin Sheehan shares important tips for sports parents, especially when it comes to how we praise our young athletes. From what we should say after the game to how we can give feedback that is supportive and helpful, Sheehan's advice is a must-listen for sports parents.
This week, spend 80 seconds watching the video above and examine your own relationship with your young athlete(s). First, consider whether your behavior on the sidelines reflects the reality that the game belongs to our kids. Then, consider how you interact with your child(ren) post-game. Do you tell them how much you love watching them play? If you offer feedback, what does that look like? Is it positive, supportive and helpful? Remember that your child's coach will help correct mistakes and develop skill; our role as parents is to support our child, to boost confidence and remind them of our unconditional love.
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