10 Lessons Learned

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Here's another good read. Again, I know it's here somewhere, but couldn't resurrect it.

This is part of a letter that was written by a sports writer in Mentor who had covered sports and then became a parent of a High School Athlete. His letter was on the TEN BIGGEST LESSONS HE LEARNED FROM BEING A PARENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE:


1. Don't expect your kid to be THE STAR. In a year, they may not even like the sport.
2. Give your kid some space. Let them enjoy it more than you do.
3. Avoid telling them what they do wrong.
4. Make quitting the last alternative when issues arise.
5. Academics are most important
6. Pain is the way their bodies tell them something is wrong, make sure they listen to it.
7. Let your child deal with coaching issues, avoid getting involved.
8. Support the whole team, not just your child.
9. Know that they will probably get yelled at and accept it.
10. Enjoy the ride, it goes by way too fast.

 

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11. See #10 again

 

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I like #8. Can't stand parents who never cheer except when their kid is up.

 

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5. Academics are most important

I tell my 10U team that I want:
1: Good Kids
2: Good Students
and
3: Good Softball Players

Never get those out of order

 

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The only one that I don't care for is 3. Avoid telling them what they do wrong. So if you don't tell them what they do wrong then how are they supposed to know how to fix it and wouldn't they just assume that it is right? I never tell my daughter she is the best at anything, other parents and players tell her you are such a great pitcher, you have a great swing, etc. and I just say thanks she does ok. I always point out what she did right first but then I always tell her exactly what she did wrong. I explain the gametime situation to her or I show her why she went 2 for 9 in three games on a Saturday with pictures I took of her swing, etc. I'm honest with my daughter about her performance in sports and in school, if she does good I'll tell her, if she doesn't I'll tell her but I won't sugarcoat anything.

 

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It's more about when to tell them something is wrong. We made the mistake of bringing it up too soon after games.

 

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It's more about when to tell them something is wrong. We made the mistake of bringing it up too soon after games.

I used to do that too, over the years I've learned to wait and if she doesn't bring it up to me I'll say something to her later on that evening like what was going on at the plate today? If she says I'm collapsing my back shoulder or I'm dropping my hands, etc. then I'll just let it go but if she says I'm not sure dad... That's my opportunity to jump in and say well I noticed....

 

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I never tell my daughter she is the best at anything, other parents and players tell her you are such a great pitcher, you have a great swing, etc. and I just say thanks she does ok.

Hmmmmm.... I know someone else like this. Your DD is a very good player. But even more, she's a good kid. But when she's an adult, do you want her remembering her dad as her biggest critic? Or her biggest cheerleader?

 

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It's more about when to tell them something is wrong. We made the mistake of bringing it up too soon after games.

Remember the 1-hour rule