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Parents - Welcome to the New Season

By Bill Bommarito, President, Coaching Coaches, LLC, 10/11/16, 12:15PM EDT

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The Role of the Youth Sports Parent

The changing of the seasons and the turning of the leaves means that a new hockey season is upon us.  A new beginning, with new dreams, new opportunities, new challenges, new successes, quite possibly some new equipment, and definitely a child who is one year older and a whole lot bigger than last year.  How does a parent juggle all the enthusiasm and potential which presents itself every year at this time?   Here’s your answer:

Although there is a renewed sense of a excitement for each of you, it helps to remember that all of the new dreams and opportunities belong to your child. This is THEIR experience.  Your own childhood has come and gone, and now your role has shifted to a parent of a player.  Not the most glamorous to be sure, but yours none the less.  So what is your new role, and how can you make the most of it?

Your role is now one of “SUPPORT”.  You support the new season, the new beginning, the new dreams, the new challenges, etc.  You are a HUGE part of the process, but in a support role. 

You can assist your child by having an age-appropriate conversation with your child about the upcoming season.  Take him or her to breakfast and speak as to everyone’s responsibilities as this season unfolds.  Commit to your child that you will embrace your own role by controlling yourself in the stands, with the coaches, with the officials, with the other teams’ parents/fans, etc.  Commit to your child that you will bring your “A” game every time you walk into the rink, just as you would expect of them.  Commit to your child that if an issue comes up concerning playing time or what line your child is on or how you think your child is being treated, etc, that you will, in an adult and professional manner, address the issue with the coach (or whomever) away from the rink and that respect will always be a part of any conversation.    

As challenging as it might be, you have to bring the ‘responsible adult’ you to every situation, as you are a model for your child and others on a daily basis.  If you are having a bad day, maybe you do not go to the bleachers after dropping off your child.  If, for any reason, you do not think you can support the program on any given day, maybe it is best to sit with a coffee in the warming area and wait for the game/practice to be over.   You can make that choice.  Sometimes it is thebest choice… for everyone involved. 

You can help your child make good choices by modeling good choices for them. Simply ask yourself, “are my actions in the best interest of my child, my self and my family?”  Parents, thank you for everything you do!!   Being a supportive parent is every bit as hard as being a player or a coach.  All parents are so important to this process and this season.  Make it a good one!

Read more about Bill Bommarito and Coaching Coaches, LLC at www.coaching-coaches.com. Coaching Coaches develops educational curriculum for coaches and parents.  The mission is to deliver programs which will help create the best sporting experience possible for our kids, our coaches, our parents, our officials and our administrators.