There’s a lot of negative stuff happening in youth sports these days. Do you ever get frustrated with it? Don’t you wish you could wave a magic wand over a team, coach, or parent, and change them? After 34 years of being a wife and 29 years of being a mother, I’ve concluded that trying…
5 Reasons to Rock the Boat in Youth Sports
When you see bad behavior in youth sports, do you find it easier to just turn away and ignore it? We are programmed in today’s society to mind our own business and there are certainly many instances when we should. But sometimes, sports parents, you need to rock the boat. One of my friends recently…
10 Things You Will Miss When Your Child Stops Playing Sports
Playing sports brings you and your child many challenges–some good and some very very ugly. But when your kids are done playing sports–be it before or after college–there will be things you will miss because there’s nothing quite like watching your child grow, fail, overcome, and succeed in the game! These are the things I…
12 Signs That a Sports Parent Needs to Take 2 Steps Back
You don’t have to be a crazy sports parent to be a little too invested in your child’s youth sports experience. I was never seen as a whacko parent, but there were definitely times when I sensed that I was taking my kids’ games way too seriously. When I was thinking clearly enough to see…
How to Pull Your Child Out of the Dumps of Discouragement
Youth sports is a roller coaster of emotions, for parents and kids. And when you are at a low point in the ride, it seems like climbing out of the dumps of discouragement is a very daunting task. Hitting slumps. Dry shooting spells. Missed shots. Or maybe your child feels dejected because of team drama or coaching…
3 Ways to Protect Your Child When He’s Playing Outdoors
This post is sponsored by N’visible patch, a safe and effective way to protect your kids from bug bites when playing outdoors. With spring here and summer fast approaching, playing outdoors is an everyday event. Outdoor athletes face unique challenges as they not only battle sports opponents, they combat the outdoor elements of heat, sun…
20 Bad Sports Parenting Habits That Will Give Your Child a Miserable Season
Sports parents, let me get straight to the point: if you want your child to have a good youth sports experience, then it’s got to start with you. Stay away from these 20 bad sports parenting habits if you want to keep your child from having a miserable season. Make winning the only priority. Fall…
Getting Recruited: What College Coaches Want You to Know About Your Child and College Sports
This post on Getting Recruited is Part 6 of a 6-part series What Your Child’s Sports Coach Wants You to Know, sponsored by TeamSnap, a company that does its very best to give parents, coaches, and teams a tool that will facilitate clear and consistent communication. For many young athletes, getting recruited to play sports in college…
8 Body Language Bungles Sports Parents Make Without Even Realizing It
Your body has a language all its own, apart from the words you say to your kids before, during, and after games. It’s become such a part of who you are that you probably don’t even think about it. If that’s so, then it’s time to take notice because you may be hurting your relationship…
How to Make Good Parenting Habits That Stick
How are you at making good parenting habits that stick? Many are full of good intentions when they set out to establish new habits. Kinda like making new year’s resolutions. Whether you are trying to establish good habits in your sports parenting, in your job, at home. Or maybe you’re trying to help your child…