Sports parenting can be challenging and
demanding. You need to commit extra of everything – extra time, extra expenses,
extra effort, and not to mention extra care about diet, exercise, routine,
health, studies everything. But you have to admit, it does bring you that extra
bit of joy. It’s something to see your little one play, compete and of course
win.
But here’s the thing, as a parent you
shouldn’t get too possessed with the child’s sporting activity. Being over
involved or obsessing over a sports career or college scholarship will just
make it more taxing for you. While there needs to be some sort of justification
to the ‘extra’ bit you are doing, especially on the finances front, and it’s
understandable if you get frustrated, but frustration, pressure or obsession
will not work. It might rather do more damage than good. If you are keen on
providing a great sporting exposure to your child, a positive frame of mind and
giving a freehand will do the magic. And it’s all the more important for you
too. Here are a few points that will help you focus on the positives of sports
parenting.
1.
Enjoy the bit that
your child is playing, not the bit that she is winning. Kids playing sports are
more disciplined and develop inherent character traits that you cannot
necessarily otherwise imbibe in kids.
2.
There’s a beautiful
definition of success – ‘if you are happy, you are successful’. Don’t be
bothered by other parents who flaunt their child’s achievements. It’s shallow.
Focus on happiness and learning instead. That is what will make your child have
a natural flare in whatever she chooses to do. Your child will be happy,
nothing else matters.
3.
Don’t focus on
winning, focus on life instead. Is your child becoming a better person? Is she
learning empathy, kindness and teamwork? Is she getting mature enough to be
able to take her victories humbly and losses gracefully? Is she learning the
value of hard-work? Those are the things that will make your little one a
winner in life, and that’s where your focus should be.
4.
Show respect to the
coaches. For one, they are doing a part of your job by teaching her life skills
that will help in making her the person she becomes.
5.
Don’t try and
become the coach yourself. Spare yourself the effort and the energy. It’s the
coaches’ job and they’ll do it. Trust.
6.
Socialize with
other sports parents. It’s good to have a support group. Discourage
competitiveness amongst parents.
7.
Do not criticize
other kids, ever. It just brings in negativity you wouldn’t want to deal with.
8.
Don’t forget
yourself in the madness of game practices, packing lunches, driving down,
volunteering etc. If it’s getting too much, say a no. It’s okay once in a
while.
Keep calm and happy parenting!
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