Keeping Sports in Perspective

“How you do and who you are, are two different things,” is another one of the lines I often say to my kids and students. When parents and coaches put so much stock in their kids sports performance kids may begin to feel like their identity is defined only by the sport. Judging a players effort is the key and not their results along with being able to “let bad games go” so kids don’t dwell on rough games too long.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Sports Tip of the Day

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Travel Ball Conundrum

Whether a child should play travel ball in a particular sport or not and at what age to begin playing is often a tough call for parents. In my latest book Raising an Athlete, I spend a whole chapter discussing this dilemma. There are four key things that can help determine when a kid should play travel ball. The importance of each factor is a little different for each family based on their particular situation.
1. The child’s interest level, not just the parents interest.
2. The coach they would play for – good caoches are priceless for a players life and sport development.
3. The player’s skill level – putting a player in a level they are not ready for is the quickest way to have them want to discontinue playing.
4. Time commitment – meeting the demands of much more playing can be tough to balance while having kids stay involved in other activities, including non-sport related ones.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

The Travel Ball Conundrum

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Parents don’t have to give a big speech to inspire their kids and giving one is one of the best ways to alienate kids anyway. Giving short inpirational messages though at the appropriate time is “priceless” as the saying goes. Kids in sports and life encounter many situations that can disappoint and discourage them so providing little inpirational words can help them deal with those situations.
    Just recently, I had to throw the famous saying “Where there’s a will there’s a way” at one of my kids after they had to maneuver to get through a tough situation. Looking up inspirational quotes, or making some up yourself is suggested for parents to be ready for times when their athletes have to overcome adversity. Some of my favorites include “no fear,” “negativity rarely if ever helps” and “you will get through this and be stronger for it.” Once again, they are not totally original but come in handy for youth sports. 

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Providing Inspiration

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Effective Parenting Tips

   Effort & Expectations - The first two words that come to mind when I think of the letter E when it comes to sports are effort and expectations. They actually go hand and hand. The thing that parents can “expect” from kids performance on the athletic field is “effort.” Expecting kid’s to give as close to 100% effort as often as possible is not unreasonable parenting nor is it creating unreasonable expectations for their son or daughter. Expecting them to be the best on the team, getting a college scholarship, going pro or becoming a star in that particular sport are examples of unreasonable espectations, but expecting a good effort is OK and good, I believe. Stating this expectation at an early age in all endeavors that kids partake in is necessary. We will discuss many ways of doing this with future posts and is dealt with a great deal in my book, Raising an Athlete – How to Instill Confidence, Build Skills & Inspire a Love of Sport.                                                  

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – E

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