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Mom, Are You A Fan or A Fanatic? April 5, 2008

Posted by Darrell in : Just For Mom, What was I Thinking , 3comments

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These days I get a ton of questions about what is wrong with youth sports.  I think to honestly answer that question we need to find out why that question needs to be asked in the first place.  I don’t want this blog to become a soapbox for what’s wrong with sports today.  Yet I think it is a fair question any parent should ask themselves when deciding what extracurricular activities your child should participate in.  With that being said, let me ask you a few questions.

There is always a reason for playing sports.  The reason you want your child to play and the reason they want to play might not be the same.  But don’t let that keep you from encouraging them to participate anyway. If you understand what you want and what your child is looking for you will be more focused on finding a sport that is fun for them. 

The Answer to what is wrong with youth sports is…..

THE ADULTS.

Thats right you and me!!

Listen I am all for competition.  There probably isn’t a more competitive person than me.  Believe me when I say I am writing this to me as much as I am writing this for you.  As I spend more time listening to my kids than I do talking at my kids I realize to be an effective coach or just my kids biggest fan I need to get my priorities straight.

For some reason competition brings out the worst in some people.  You see good people act like fools and good kids lose their mind.  To be honest I don’t know if it will ever change.  I use to think it was just us guys trying to prove our manhood or trying to relive our lives through our kids. 

But over the last few years of coaching I have seen more and more MOMS go absolutely BONKERS in the crowd. I understand a mother’s instinct to protect their child and they should. 

BUT it can’t happen in the middle of a sporting event. 

I can hear you now. What!!! But it’s the truth.  When no one else in the world understands, kids want MOM to comfort and support them.

Thats why you have the toughest job in the world and the most rewarding.  Moms get to share experiences with their kids that us Dads will never get to.  

It has been my experience that my kids take coaching better from me than they do from their Mom.  They want Mom to tell them it is OK no matter whats happens in the game.

Hey I know its tough. 

So please share your experiences.  I think we all can learn from each other.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

God Bless,

Darrell