Little Chips Web Article
Proud and Patient
Being a soccer parent isn’t always the easiest thing to do. In fact, being a parent of a kid who plays any sport can be a very interesting role. Not only do you deal with the emotional dynamics of the highs and lows of your own child, but you’re in the precarious position of trying to be a positive role model to everyone involved – be it other kids, other parents or the coaches. Now, in theory, this would seem pretty straightforward: support your child, the team and the community as a whole. Of course we all know that life is not lived in theory.
Perhaps you feel your own child has more natural athletic prowess than some of the kids or you feel the coach isn’t best utilizing what your child has to offer. Then again maybe you’re well aware that
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Little Chips Web Article
Proud and Patient
Being a soccer parent isn’t always the easiest thing to do. In fact, being a parent of a kid who plays any sport can be a very interesting role. Not only do you deal with the emotional dynamics of the highs and lows of your own child, but you’re in the precarious position of trying to be a positive role model to everyone involved – be it other kids, other parents or the coaches. Now, in theory, this would seem pretty straightforward: support your child, the team and the community as a whole. Of course we all know that life is not lived in theory.
Perhaps you feel your own child has more natural athletic prowess than some of the kids or you feel the coach isn’t best utilizing what your child has to offer. Then again maybe you’re well aware that your own child isn’t destined to play in any professional sports leagues but it’s the attitude of the parents who feel their kids are budding Beckhams, that really annoys you, and potentially ruins the experience for all the kids. The thing is, everyone will approach this athletic and social endeavor from a different perspective and with a different goal in mind. Parents will get what they want out of it as will the coaches and the other organizers. The important part – in fact the only thing that really matters at all – is what the children ultimately get from the experience. This premise is very easy to admit to but very difficult to commit to.
For children at this age, everything in their lives is about discovery. That could be something as complex as learning to scissor kick to something as basic as meeting a new friend. The main criteria in all of this for a child is for him or her to feel very confident in these new surroundings. He will only expand his reach and achieve personal goals when he feels comfortable enough to do so. A child needs to know he has full and unqualified support from those around him. He shouldn’t feel fear of doing the wrong thing in front of dad or be made to feel like he’s better than those around him and display that kind of bravado to his teammates. Simply put, children enjoy themselves best in these situations when they’re allowed to be children.
As difficult as it might be for some parents to withdraw their beliefs and withhold their feelings at times, they must remember what the goal is and who stands to benefit most. The lessons kids learn at this age and the habits they will adopt, are the foundation to who they become as adults. As their talents develop and as their interests expand beyond the playing field, they will naturally gravitate to where they want to be and what they want to become. Things like youth soccer are essential seeds to who they are and will become more than what they can or can’t do.
