How Involved Should Sports Parents Be?
Film maker Caytha Jenis is the first to admit she was too involved in her daughter’s sports experience. So were many of the other sports parents she knew.
In fact, Jenis, owner of Fox Meadow Films, was so upset by her own over-involvement that she produced a film, “Bad Parents,” starring two actors from Saturday Night Live.
“So much time and energy was invested by the sports parents. It became our thing-our kids and their sports,” she says. “You could get sucked into it, but it wasn’t right.”
“Everyone loves the community created by youth sports teams,” she says, “but at some point, it’s more about the parents than the kids.”
To separate herself a little, she decided to produce a film about the sports scene.
“I needed a 12-step program to help me get away from youth sports.”
Here at Kids’ Sports Psychology, we see this problem again and again. Parents-especially those entering the youth sports scene for the first time-find a hard time striking a balance between being over-involved and under-involved.
This can hurt kids’ confidence and embarrass them.
Tips for Parents:
- Be sure your kids are playing for their own reasons, not yours.
- Support your kids’ reasons for playing. If the reasons are pure social, accept that and support that.
- Cheer for all members of the team, not just your own child.
- Be supportive of your kids’ coaches. Don’t undermine the coaches.
- Be positive and encourage kids to have fun!
If you’d like more tips for boosting kids’ confidence, you can find lots of resources at Kids’ Sports Psychology, including our fun interview with Jenis. Exclusive members can find it here:
Confessions of an Over-Involved Sports Mom – Interview with Caytha Jenis
You’ll also find lots of videos, audios, articles and other resources that will help you boost your kids’ confidence in sports.
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- Should Sports Parents be Their Kids’ Trainer, Nutritionist and Sports Psychologist?
- Parents Should Show Sports Kids They Care About More than the Win
- Sport is the Athletes’ Journey, Not Parents
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