How to Coach Your Children and Keep Them Happy
Coaching your child’s athletic team can either lead to success or disaster, both on the field and off. Kids who had a rough day with their coach are comforted in the fact that they can run to Mom or Dad. But when the coach is Mom or Dad, there’s nowhere to hide. It’s difficult enough to wear either hat of parent or coach, but melding the two requires a delicate, impartial balancing act. If done right, the experience could bring you and your child closer together.
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Instructions
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Avoid favoritism. Evaluate your child’s performance fairly. Don’t abuse your position of power to play your child more than another who may be more deserving.
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Don’t be overly critical. Don’t be harder on your child than anyone else because you expect more. If you find yourself ready to say something over-the-top, develop a signal to help self-monitor this behavior.
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Get outside advice. Bring in another coach or friend for an unbiased opinion of your child’s performance. Be ready to accept criticism.
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Praise your child when it is deserved. You might feel the other parents and kids are watching you closely, so you’ll go to the opposite extreme and avoid complimenting your child. Don’t do this. Give praise where praise is due.
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Don’t give your child privileged information. Don’t tell your child the starting lineup or who is going to play before the other team members. Never gossip about anyone on the team in front of your child.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave it on the field. Make it a rule that once you’re off the field, all coaching and criticism will stop.
Remember you’re a parent first, coach second. If the situation isn’t working out for your child, give the coaching reigns over to someone else.
Play your child if he deserves it.
Don’t coach your child if you have difficulty doling out criticism.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
