This post is sponsored by TeamSnap, a company that does its very best to make back to school sports as easy as possible by providing the best tools to help teams and parents run their organizations smoothly. There’s a lot of things to remember to do as your child heads back to school sports: Buy uniforms, get…
Do You Care if Your Child Cooperates and Shows Teamwork? Here’s Why You Should!
Teamwork is a must in youth sports. And if your child is not learning it, then ask yourself why and do something to change that. Teamwork is huge because it’s one of those characteristics that will affect how your child relates to and works with others for the rest of his life. A less sporty…
10 Negative Thoughts Holding You and Your Child Back
Negative Thoughts are hard to ignore. They affect all areas of our lives, and when it comes to youth sports, it seems parents are especially susceptible to it. Author Steven Covey says that “We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking.” These 12 negative thoughts could be…
3 Reasons It’s Okay Not to Like Your Child’s Coach
Yes, you read that right. You don’t have to like your child’s coach. You don’t have to like the coach’s style, defensive strategy, or offensive game plan. A coach can totally rub you the wrong way, and you may not even be able to pinpoint exactly why. He or she just does. The bad news…
One Good Reason For Quitting Youth Sports
Quitting youth sports is not something I would usually go around recommending because I love it so much and believe it can teach kids so much, but there’s an exception to every rule and here’s one reason why I’d advise it for your child. If your child is not growing in o confidence, then maybe it’s…
3 Lessons That “Just Have Fun!” Will Not Teach Your Child in Youth Sports
Many youth sports experts I’ve read lately have been emphasizing the idea of “just having fun” in youth sports. While I agree that children can only grow in their love for the game if they are having fun, there comes a point in their development when “just have fun” falls short. It is here that…
6 Steps to Help Your Athlete Stay on Top of His Game
Helping your young athlete play his best and be at the top of his game goes way beyond what’s happening on the field, court, green, ice, or in the pool. It boils down to focus, and the things in your child’s life that distract her from doing her best in sports. As a parent, you…
2 Key Ways to Invest in Kids Playing Sports
Are you fully investing yourself in your child’s youth sports experience? As sports parents, it’s easy to coast through youth sports. Go to the games, volunteer your time, write the checks–yes you are enjoying the experience of kids playing sports, but at the same time, you might be missing out on some very valuable opportunities…
Motivation: 5 Ways That Don’t Work with Young Athletes
Motivation in youth sports is not an exact science; trying to figure out what works with each child athlete is more like an art form. It’s trial and error–a learning process for parents as much as it is for kids because every child is different and every child responds differently to motivational tactics. But before you start…
Help Your Athlete Develop the Skill of Assertiveness
Two weeks ago, I introduced the 52 Virtues Project. If you missed that post, take a second to check it out. Virtue #1: Assertiveness Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You…