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I was informed by someone close to me that she was attacked verbally at
a youth baseball game by a person who did not like the way her husband
was coaching. She told me both the coach and his wife were verbally abusive
to her and in all reality she had nothing to do with the situation other
than being a parent present to support her child.
I should mention that this was at an 11 year old team's game.
The youth sports season is here. Many baseball teams are playing and will
soon be joined by softball and soccer. There will also be youth hockey
played in various areas having indoor ice available.
It is great that kids want to participate in such programs. When surveyed
why the kids want to be part of a team and a sport the answer heard more
often than not is "I want to play and have fun with my friends."
We see that in adult baseball too. Players seem to migrate to teams where
they can play with their friends.
All too often though, that fun is hampered by parents who feel they coach
better from the stands than the coach on the field. They pass that belief on
to their children and then fun factor decreases rapidly. Soon the team concept
starts to deteriorate and the "me" factor starts to take over.
But it doesn't have to be that way if the parents concentrate on being parents
and let the coaches coach.
It is often said that an athletic contest contains many mistakes and the team
that makes the fewest will probably win.
Let the mistakes happen. They can be used as great learning tools.
Here are some ways parents can be successful parents while their child is
playing his or her game.
Help your child set goals. See what your child wants to accomplish and
let them take pride and ownership in what they do.
Help your child define success. "Did you win" is not a great question.
Great questions are what did you do well? Did you meet your goals? What
was the most fun and did you have fun? What was the hardest part of the
game?
Let them learn from their mistakes and let them know that making mistakes
is part of learning.
During the game cheer and be supportive. Keep the fact that the child is
competing and learning be what is important.
Support your coach and the team.
Have a good season.