TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS WITH ATHLETIC CHILDREN |
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1. |
Make sure your child knows that win or lose, scared or heroic, you love
them, |
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appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them.. This will
allow them to do |
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their best without fear of failure. Be the person in their life they
can look to for constant |
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positive reinforcement. |
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2. |
Try your best to be completely honest about your child’s athletic
ability, their competitive |
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attitude, sportsmanship, and actual skill level. |
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3. |
Be helpful, but don’t coach them. Although tough, it is a lot tougher
for the athlete if they |
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are inundated with advice, pep talks, and critical instruction. Leave
this to the coaches. |
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4. |
Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, encourage them to do the
best they can, |
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and emphasize having fun. |
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5. |
DO NOT relive your athletic career through your children. |
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6. |
DO NOT compare the skills and/or ability of your child with other
members of the team. |
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7. |
Get to know the coaching staff so that you can be assured that the
philosophy, attitudes, |
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ethics, and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child
under his/her leadership. |
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8. |
Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and
when criticized. |
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Temper your reaction and investigate before overreacting. |
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9. |
Make a point of understanding courage. Some of us can climb mountains,
and are |
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afraid to fight. Some will fight, but turn to jelly at the sight of a
spider. Everyone is |
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frightened in certain areas. Explain to your child that courage is not
absence of fear, but |
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rather the ability to do something in spite of fear and/or discomfort. |
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10. |
Be supportive. The job of parenting a teenage athlete is a tough one,
and takes a lot |
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of effort to do well. But in the end, it is well worth all the efforts
when you hear your son |
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or daughter say, “My parents really helped.” |