Training Matters: Sport Parenting 101
By Brittney Nyrose on December 11, 2020.
We’ve all seen the crazy moms and dads in the stands at their child’s sporting event. Some may find them funny and laugh at them, while others will find them rude and obnoxious. Regardless, no one really wants to be like them. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming “those” sport parents, and rather being a more positive influence in your child’s sport participation. • First and foremost, you must remember that your child is participating in sport for their enjoyment, not yours. Many parents try to live vicariously through their child’s involvement in sport, hoping that their offspring will carry out the dreams and ambitions they once had themselves but were unable to achieve. This sets the child up for disappointment and feeling like they are failing to live up to your expectations. Your child’s sport involvement should be their own journey. They should be allowed to play the sport they choose, rather than being forced to play a sport their parents did. Make sure your child is enjoying it, and don’t force them to play a sport if they don’t want to. • Remember you are a supporter and spectator, not a coach. There is a designated coach for a reason and many parents like to coach from the sideline or yell at their child what to do. While this may seem like a helpful act in your child’s development as an athlete, it can actually hinder their growth instead. If you are sending contradicting messages from that of their coach, the child can feel more stress and confusion which can lead to less enjoyment and fun in their sport participation. Giving little tips and reminders along the way can be of benefit as long as they are reinforcing what the coach is teaching. The best time to help your child develop their skills is during a time set aside for you and your child to work together, and not in the middle or after a game. • It is important that you praise the right things to your child. Sports are not all about winning and losing. Be sure to praise effort and hard work. Look for consistency and commitment. Compliment these qualities in your child. Success is often the result of these other qualities and sometimes out of the control of your child. If you are constantly applauding success and nothing else, your child will get the wrong message about what sport participation is all about. • Remember as a parent, you are a role model to your child. Modeling proper behavior will go a long way in ensuring your child is having fun playing their sport. Don’t yell at or criticize other players if they make a mistake. Don’t be rude to the officials, other parents, or coaches. Remember that we are all human beings who make mistakes from time to time. These people are just trying their best to make an enjoyable sporting experience for all children. If you role model good behavior, your child will learn good sportsmanship and how to show respect for their opponents, their coaches and the officials. • As you work to make sure your child is having fun in their sport, don’t forget to enjoy it yourself. Watching your child play a sport and the enjoyment it brings to them will be a great experience for you as well. Be proud of your child’s growth and development as they learn a new sport. If they see how happy you are with their participation in sport, they are more likely to be happy also. Taking them to practices and games, travelling with them to tournaments, attending their games and just being involved in their sporting experience will give you both memories to share for a lifetime. Sport should be a fun experience for all. If you can be a positive supporter to your child’s sport involvement, it will be a fantastic benefit to them. Be the positive role model in your child’s life and help them find happiness in playing a sport they can love. Good luck to all you sport parents out there, it’s not an easy job, but it’s definitely worth it. Brittney Nyrose, Mental Performance Specialist, Six08 Health Inc. 9-8
