The Competitive Parent

Random Thought: Ya’ll ever had food poisoning? I’ve had it 3 times in my life and last week was the most recent. You know how you go against your gut (see what I did there) feeling and it turns out to bad? Yea… that was me last week. We ate at a place called NIko’s and there was 1 review floating around stating everything was 💯💯💯… Well… that’s didn’t work for us… But we’re good now… A few pounds lighter so that’s a plus..

Competitive Sports for younger kids… It can be a good thing right? It may not be for every child, but for some, it’s a great thing. Over the years, playing in any sport can teach about the importance of practicing, planning, and performing. All 3, in reference to sports, can create and develop skills  hobbies can’t provide. Sports definitely assist in playing under the spotlight and handling pressured moments. It teaches how to have fun, teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline,  self-discipline, and much more. There are many lessons taught playing competitive sports. But what about the parents? I’m sure for most parents, the reason why your child has an interest in sports is because at one time, you played sports. So how have you handled your competitiveness with your child playing sports? 

I ask because I’ve seen some parents at youth games acting out. The yelling. The sideline distractions. The displayed frustration. A young child playing a competitive sport for their first or second time is still learning. Learning rules. Learning strategies. Learning teamwork. Learning everything. Naturally, your child is going to look for their parents for approval. “Did I mess up and my mom/dad is mad at me now?” A parent’s reaction can have a snowball effect on a child. The fun of the game can escape a child simply because their parent is screaming about not shooting or making a bad pass. Do some of ya’ll act this way because your expectations supersede your child’s abilities and you can’t fathom that they missed a wide open layup or dropped an uncontested catch? I need to know,  because some of ya’ll look stupid yelling and stomping in the stands. 

So before you go to your child’s next game and act a fool or before they start a new season, ask yourself these 2 questions:

1) As a parent, did I put in the work to get my child to the skill level of my expectations?

2) Does my child want to be where my expectations are?

If not, then it may be time to chill out at the games; quit screaming at your child when they don’t shoot the ball or if they drop an easy catch. Have a serious talk to see if that sport, or any sport, is what they want to do. Gaining skills to be efficient at sports takes a little longer than a few weeks for most kids. 

Much Love

GB