The Importance of Your Attitude Toward Your Child's Sport
Your attitude towards your child’s sport is fundamental, not only for their development but also to support them at all times. Believe it or not, your children usually pay a lot of attention to the way you behave. Have you ever thought about it? With that in mind, you need to be an authentic and useful support. It’s not about being permissive or flattering, but about being positive when the case requires it or being a counselor in times of difficulty.
Attitude is fundamental
Many parents believe that the more activities the children do, the better. However, although it’s positive to perform various tasks, it’s also advisable to avoid getting saturated or frustrated. It’s best for your children to do some sport, but it should be one of their own choice and not one imposed by you or other people. This first step is essential to show a good attitude towards your child’s sport. Don’t forget it!
What attitudes should be avoided?
Faced with the situations that life presents, there are good and bad attitudes, and this is normal. The same goes for your children’s sports practice. In this case, we’ll teach you some negative attitudes that you should avoid.
Frustration
Being a frustrated parent regarding your child’s sport is a very delicate issue, especially if it’s an attitude that you don’t know how to handle. Usually, the ones who end up suffering the consequences are the children. Frustration leads to pushing the child to choose that sport you love so much and that you were never able to practice. Sometimes it’s even so strong that you project yourself to the point of forcing them.
Aggressiveness or anger
Aggressiveness and anger can move from the home to the stands. Your child may even replicate this type of behavior with their teammates. On the contrary, sports should be a practice full of positive values, such as respect and companionship. There, your example is fundamental for your children as well as for other children. If you have episodes of anger, seek professional help to be treated in a timely manner.
Being a know-it-all
Perhaps you’re passionate about the sport your child practices or at some point you also practiced it. However, that doesn’t make you the coach or the person who runs the team. Don’t dare cross that line, because you’ll only confuse your little one. Remember that they view you with respect and as an authority figure, so they’ll do what you tell them about their sport.
However, the authority figure on the field is the coach and you should avoid overruling him. In this case, the goal is for your child to understand that there are places where other people are in control.
What attitudes should you have?
Although there are negative aspects that you should avoid at all costs, there are also attitudes that you should constantly reinforce and apply.
Effort first
You have the privilege of observing everything your child does before each game. For example, the way they get ready to compete, their eagerness to go to the field, and their happiness. All these aspects are part of the effort they make every day. These, together with the performance on the field, are things that you should value highly.
The result takes a back seat
If you pay too much attention to the result, your child will probably start to focus only on that and not on how they achieve it. Even if the results start to be negative, they may become frustrated or want to give up the sport. So, whatever the result, you should greet your child with the same euphoria and support. From this attitude, you can help build the concept of sportsmanship: It’s not about winning, but about having fun and respecting the opponent.
Physical and emotional care
Emotional care can be evidenced in all the positive attitudes that you must constantly address. Supporting, respecting their autonomy, and accepting that the child makes mistakes helps the development of the relationship between the two of you. At the same time, physical care goes hand in hand with professional counseling. At this point, it’s important that you accompany your child to regular medical check-ups. In addition, it’s also important to have nutritional support.
The best attitude toward your child’s sport
The best attitude you can have towards your child’s sport is interest. You probably support the idea of their favorite sport, but if you don’t show some interest in what they’re doing, they’ll probably feel lonely and frustrated. Try to make time to accompany them to their weekly practices and games. This kind of companionship is important for children and can bring them a lot of happiness.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Oros, L. B., Manucci, V., & Richaud de Minzi, M. C. (2011). Desarrollo de emociones positivas en la niñez. Lineamientos para la intervencion escolar. Educación y Educadores.
- Duhamel, J.-F., Sevin, I., Hamel, A., Guincestre, J.-Y., & Montalvan, B. (2008). Alimentación del niño deportista. EMC – Pediatría. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1245-1789(08)70224-5
- Vega, R. de la. (2006). El papel de los padres y madres en la práctica deportiva de los más jóvenes. Departamento de Educación Fisica, Deporte y Motricidad Humana. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.