Let’s face it: sports can be expensive. They require a significant investment of time, energy, and resources, making them a major commitment for both parents and children. As parents, we have high expectations for our children and, naturally, for the coaches we entrust them to. In a podcast called todaysmama, the founder talks about positive and negative parent influence in our children's sport performance. We want to see our child reaching their potential, being actively involved, and, most importantly, playing! But what happens when this isn’t the case? What if we feel our child isn’t getting the playtime they deserve, or we believe the team isn’t performing up to par? What if the connection with the coach feels strained or non-existent? These concerns can significantly impact our child’s experience—both on and off the court—shaping their confidence, enjoyment, and growth in the sport. However, as parents, we have the power to influence this experience positively. Let’s explore how we, as parents, can be a positive force in our child athlete’s journey.
We aim to raise athletes who can:
Advocate for themselves respectfully with their peers and coaches.
Persevere through obstacles without giving up, even when faced with hard work.
Build strong relationships by getting along with different personalities and appreciating diverse perspectives.
Commit to hard work both on and off the field, excelling in their sport and academics.
Embrace competition as a way to unlock their potential while valuing good sportsmanship to keep the spirit of sports alive.
So how can parents influence these behaviors in their kids? Parents play a crucial role in shaping these positive behaviors. Opening a line of communication with our child athletes is key to empowering them to express themselves effectively. As children and teens grow, they need parental support to encourage them through challenges. While it’s difficult to watch our children experience pain or discomfort, allowing them to work through obstacles that don’t pose a real threat helps them develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
It’s equally important to help our children build tolerance for different personalities. This fosters respect and connection with teammates or coaches, even if they don’t particularly like them. By keeping the focus on self-improvement, reflection, commitment, and persistence, we can help them build a strong work ethic that will serve them well into adulthood. Every individual contributes to the team—not just through skill, but also through their unique personality.
When it comes to competition, validating their desire to win is essential. At the same time, reminding both ourselves and our children that even professional athletes make mistakes and lose games helps maintain a healthy perspective. Losing is an inherent part of sports and offers valuable lessons. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can instill in our children the ability to embrace hard lessons and turn them into strengths.
In the world of sports, opinions differ on the level of parental involvement with coaches. Each sport and club has its own culture. If you’re a parent who prefers frequent, direct communication with the coach, it’s important to seek out a sports community that welcomes and supports that approach. An ideal sports environment fosters strong collaboration and trust between parents and coaches, balancing the club’s goals with parental expectations. In such an environment, children are more likely to thrive because they feel supported from all sides.
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