Three Keys to Success
for Sports Parenting
With a smile a mile wide, the rosy cheeked kid yelled to me on the soccer sideline as he ran by me, “This is so fun! I’m having a blast!”
This child was new to the sport, on a great and steep growth curve, being encouraged and having the time of his life.
This is a wonderful, yet sadly rare moment in youth athletics. Despite some of our best efforts to help our children become all they can be in the Arena (where they play their sports, do their gymnastics, etc.), some of us are doing more damage than good. Rather than talk about the bad, here are three keys that can revolutionize your life and the success of your child in the Arena.
Key #1
Stay Positive
Q: Am I telling my child what to do or what not to do?
– The way the brain is wired, people move towards what they hear. Example: What happens when the tennis player says to themselves, “Don’t double fault?” Exactly! We need to tell ourselves and our children what we want to them to do, not what we don’t want them to do.
Q: Is my tone uplifting and encouraging?
– Maintaining a positive tone and attitude will help your child be set up for success. Sharing phrases like, “You can do it. You know what it takes to accomplish what you are setting out to do,” will enable your child to be reminded of their goal and to be encouraged in a positive manner.
Key #2
Stay Present
Q: What does my child need from me?
– Considering their needs and placing them above our own is at the heart of the servant hood that is parenthood.
Q: Will I be there for my child when they need me most?
– On the long ride home after a disappointing performance or loss, we as parents need to develop the emotional capacity to stay present and be emotionally available to our young athletes rather than getting lost in our own emotional world.
Key #3
Stay Purposeful
Q: Does my child have a clear picture of what they want their future to be like?
– One of the great opportunities we have as parents of athletes is to try to shape and mold our kids vision of what their future might be like. We need to help them to understand the possibilities and prepare them for success both inside and outside of the Arena.
Q: Does my child have a clear picture of my hopes for their life?
– Is what we do or who we are more important? As we lead and encourage our young athletes, let us focus more on the development of their character than their curve ball.
