How to Deal With Obnoxious Parents at a High School Game

High school sports are games that are supposed to teach sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork. Unfortunately, parents sometimes stand in the way of these goals. Not everyone achieves all their life goals and some people live vicariously through their children. Most kids just want to play the game and have fun. These parents on the other hand believe the game is about them.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine what is bothering them. Sometimes a parent will misinterpret what is happening during the game or a coach's intent. Calmly state an explanation of what is going on and why the parent's logic may be faulty. Now this will only work with rational people and sometimes parents cannot be rational about their children.

2. Listen to the complaints and ask the parent during halftime or a break during the action what the problem is and simply listen to them. Sometimes a person just wants to feel like they have been heard. Once that happens they may calm down.

3. Remember that in almost all cases these parents love their kids. In most instances, this is where these reactions are coming from. So try to empathize with their plight.

4. Move to another section. If all else fails just get up and move to another or area away from the obnoxious parent.

5. Call a person in authority over to handle the parent. An obnoxious parent, in some rare cases, should be removed from the area. Call someone that has the authority to do so. Do not try this without someone trained or used to dealing with obnoxious parents.

6. Ignore the obnoxious parent. Just simply block out all their comments and tirades. Remember that a person is in control of his or her own feeling and emotions. Do not let one person ruin an experience.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!