Encouraging Sports Kids without Pressuring Them
Just how can sports parents encourage kids to take part in sports and support them—without pressuring them? That’s a good question, and the answers are not so obvious. Read on to get tips from Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, who says his parents knew just how to support him as he grew into an Olympic athlete. “I was very fortunate,” he says. “My parents encouraged me to do different things that I loved.” The key, when kids are very young,... [Read More...]
Help us Fight Bullying in Sports
Bullying is an epidemic in our society today. It’s especially rampant in sports. A recent survey of high school students across the U.S. found that 48% of respondents had been subjected to hazing–a form of bullying in which kids are humiliated or required to take part in dangerous activities. Much of this hazing happens in sports, the study found. Young athletes are bullied by adults as well as peers. Youth coaches often yell at, tease, humiliate... [Read More...]
Letting Go of Sports Kids During Practice and Competition
Sports parents need to release their young athletes to the game. That’s the word from H. Rothenberg, who has run a basketball program for 20 years and is the owner of Triple C Camp, Charlottesville, Va. What exactly does he mean by this and how can this improve your kids’ success in sports? Read on. When sports kids approach middle school, and sports become more competitive, it’s time for parents to take a step back and let go of their children,... [Read More...]
How Are Sports Kids Their Own Worst Enemies?
Just how many ways can young athletes sabotage their sports performance? In lots of ways, says Dr. Harold Shinitzky, a sports psychologist and author of “Your Mind: An Owner’s Manual for a Better Life.” “A lot of athletes, based on how they think of themselves, engage in behaviors that interfere with their ultimate performance. That’s the saboteur,” he says. Examples? When kids decide to eat poorly, get little sleep, or engage in other... [Read More...]
Pressure Sports Kids, and They Might Drop Out of Sports Altogether
One of our readers, a caring sports mom, has this confession to make: “I am guilty! I am a frustrated but well-meaning mother who has put pressure to perform on my children.” This is an important realization for this sports mom. She understands that pressure from parents does not help young athletes succeed. In fact, it can cause kids to lose confidence and drop out of sports. Read on, and you’ll discover that’s exactly what’s happening... [Read More...]
