This post is sponsored by Ertheo, an organization that helps parents find opportunities to help their children grow, focusing on great summer camp experiences. There are millions of sports parents in the world today, but how many of could actually be described as great sports parents? Many sports parents get the job done physically–they…
A Beginner’s Guide to Sports Parenting
Sports parenting is as easy as signing your child up and getting him to practice, right? If this is your child’s first, second, or even third year of playing youth sports, then you are still relatively new to the game. It may seem easy, and you may think, This is great! This is fun! Where’s the…
How You and Your Child’s Coach Can Be on the Same Team
You and your child’s coach are not on oppositive sides of the field or court. For the sake of your child, you should be partnering and working together in order to give your child a positive youth sports experience. You are not enemies or competitors. You are partners. I will say it again: You are Partners….
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…
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…
How to Manage the 5 Biggest Headaches of Youth Sports
For most parents, the biggest headaches in youth sports have nothing to do with playing time or a coach that plays your child in a position that you don’t like. The biggest headaches are the things that take up your time and energy and can potentially derail a smooth season. You know them well if…
How You Can Crush These Top 5 Challenges of Sports Parenting
The challenges of sports parenting do not stop when the game is over. They follow you wherever you go and intrude into any hour of the day. It’s enough to drive you crazy. But you don’t have to be a crazy sports parent! I’ll be the first to admit that there are challenges to parenting an…
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…