Have I ever told you that I grew up in a sports-crazed family with five kids?
30 years ago when I played football, hockey, golf, and lacrosse year round, our dad was an enthusiastic sports parent. He often impeached us to play harder and live up to our abilities. He was quick to express his frustration with refs and coaches.
My dad (and mom) was so into our games, he couldn't restrain himself. That was both good and bad for the five of us. We liked all the attention, but often felt pressured to perform better - and better!
Now that I am a sports parent myself, I understand just how difficult it is for parents--like my dad--to figure out how best to support and help their kids in sports. And as a leading sports psychology expert, we've been studying this issue.
Sports parents today have many tough questions to answer: Should you push kids to try harder in sports when you know they have the athletic ability? What do you say or do after your child or teen's crushing defeat?
What to do if your daughter worries constantly about what others think of her sports performance? How do you behave on the sidelines when you are frustrated with coaches or refs?
These are hard questions, and the answers are not always obvious.
I have heard from many parents, like you, who are struggling with these issues - and many others. Now, my sister Lisa Cohn, an award- winning parenting writer, and I have teamed up to teach you how to boost kids' confidence and help you be a great sports parent!
We just released an innovative new program for sports parents, "The Ultimate Sports Parent: A 14-Day Plan for Kids" Success in Sports.'
Our cutting-edge CD/Workbook program tells parents just what to say and do to improve their kids' confidence, success and happiness in sports. It's based on 15 years of experience working with athletes and young athletes.
As Julia Dreyer, a sports mom to two champion equestrians says:
"As parents, we supply our sports kids with all the best in equipment
and coaches. But just having the right mindset using sports psychology
is the least expensive and most effective investment in them."
Click here to read read more about how parents can help kids in sports.
Thanks,
Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.,
Master Mental Game Coach
P.S. We recently re-launched our online mental training program with more programs and mental game tools to help you reach your potential. Grab your subscription today and get 30% off *The Ultimate Sports Parent* and other programs. Go here for a demo: Online Mental Training Program
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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1 comment:
I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. We are learning and teaching just as much as they are in the process. Kids pay close attention to how we observe, treat other coaches, kids, etc.
It needs to be about having fun. For many children sports becomes a lifelong passion. I recently wrote about the bigger lessons sports participation teaches on mu blog at http://burburandfriendsblog.com/2007/07/09/what-does-participation-in-sports-really-teach/
Ironically, I write a series of children's books that educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play through a group of multicultural characters.
You address some great issues here important for all parents.
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