You know what bothers me the most about kids sports these days? Parents. Let me remind you all, that Kid's sports is about the kids. It is not about you. It is not about reliving old glory days, it is not about getting them into a good college, it is not about getting them into the major league. It is about the kids.
I have coached kids sports for 14 years. In that time I have coached championship teams, and I have coached "fun" teams. Each has its own rewards, but make no mistake, I coached the kids equally...they each deserve a chance to play and a chance to succeed. But that success or failure is theirs to experience You, as a parent can enjoy the experience with them, but it is not about you.
Years ago I read a blog from another coach, and he said something to the effect of "Parents should be cheerleaders, they shouldn't coach". You should be there to encourage your son or daughter, and support them when they fail. You should not be coaching from the sidelines. All this does is confuse and complicate the plans of the coach.
The other startling and somewhat worrying phenomenon that has recently come to light, is the fact parents have become so competitive, they exclude their child's friends from sport related activities. Lets look back at the reason kids get into sports. They want to play with their friends. Simple. They are not born with the deep desire to make the MLS, the MBL, the NBA, the CFN/NFL or the NHL. They are born with the desire to play, and learn and have fun. From the beginning they want to interact, and they want to interact with friend. At some point, parents decide their child should play at a higher level, or get extra training, or (god forbid) their child shouldn't play with another because they are better than the other.
If you want a healthy happy and engaging child, you must include their friends. If they have bad friends, you need to encourage better behaviours. If your child is a better athlete than his best friend, support the fact your child wants to play with his friend. Maybe by including that friend in "extra" training sessions, or adding them to the list of those invited to a friendly game, you can do your part to support your child and someone else's.
It use to be said, "It takes a community to raise a child". Well today, for tre most part, that community needs counseling. Remember, Parents, its about the kids...
