Being a Good Sport

Being a Good Sport
By, Michelle Harmon, as published in the LaPorte County Herald-Argus, 4/24/2010

Softball season has started, and my weekdays and weekends are filled with practices and games. I have three girls and each of them is in a different level of softball from t-ball to junior softball. The schedule is crazy, but the girls have so much fun and are learning a lot about the game and teamwork that it is worth it to me. The only thing that I wonder is the motivations of some of the parents. That is, why do we sign our kids up for sports? Because we want them to play or because they want to?
No matter what your child's sport is: baseball, softball, football, soccer and so on, be sure that he is playing for the right reason. I have seen many a little girl throughout my years as a softball mom who had no business being on the field. The reason being that she didn't want to be. Her parents for whatever reason signed her up, and she had no interest in the game or desire to play. I have watched as the parents of such girls push their little champ until she gets upset. Then, the parent gets upset, and nobody wins. Not the parents, not the child, and certainly not the team. So, if your child does not want to play, don't force her. There is no lesson to be learned there. Find something else that peaks her interest.
When supporting your child's sports activities, remember that the main objective is for your child to have fun, and hopefully learn the values of teamwork and competition. Not everyone can be a superstar, and you mustn't put too much pressure on your child. Putting undue pressure on them sucks all the fun out of it. Not only that, it makes the child nervous and may negatively affect his self-esteem if he feels like he cannot live up to your high expectations.
If your child strikes out or the team loses, so what! As long as he had fun playing, your job is done. Be a good sport; this is a valuable lesson to pass on to your child.
Finally, do not be one of those parents who feels that her kid is the best and should start every game and who gets upset when the coach puts her on the bench or out in the outfield.
The coach's job is to teach the fundamentals of the game and to give every kid a chance. If your child really is that good, when he gets older, he will spend little time on the bench and will have the chance to showcase his talents—like when he's in high school, not Little League.
To recap, sports are fun and putting your child in a sport can be very rewarding for you and for your child. Just remember that you need to sign her up for the right sport, the one she is interested in. She should play for herself, not for you. Likewise, keep the pressure off. Let her have fun, learn the game and watch her blossom!