Parents want their children to do well. In sports, this can be especially true. Attendance at your children’s sporting events can be helpful, but other times it may turn positive intentions into emotional abuse. Many times this abuse causes children to request a parent not attend or even quit the activity altogether.
Parents should think about how their actions are seen by those in attendance, most notably their own children. How a parent acts during a sporting event will influence their child’s behavior. If you are a bad sport, your child is learning to be a bad sport.
Remember these tips from parenting.org as you enjoy your child’s participation in sports:
- Cheer for your team, not against the opponent
- Respect the officials
- Practice being positive, not critical
Remember, it’s only a game and take your child out for a treat win or lose. Your child will appreciate you for it.