Behind every young child who believes in herself/himself is a parent who believed first
- Matthew L. Jacobson
Parents, it is important to make sure that your kids enjoy just playing in the moment. You can do this by allowing your child to develop physically and emotionally at their own pace.
a. Do your homework:
- Find the right program or club for your child to participate on. See if it fits with your values by identifying what their mission is and how they support the development of children through sport.
- Listen and observe your child-athlete to see if he/she is enjoying their sport(s) and if he/she is connecting with their coaches and teammates.
- Stay grounded in the present moment. Don’t get carried away thinking about your child’s future in the sport, or with the potential that you and/or others see in your child.
b. Wear one hat at a time:
To be fully present for your kids, we need to wear one hat at a time. If you get caught up wearing multiple hats, like being a parent and trying to be the coach from the sidelines, you send mixed messages that can cause confusion and resentment from your child.
The only six words parents need to say to their kids about sports.....
“We just love watching you play!”