Dear fellow sports parents,
As one of you, I’ve experienced the exhilaration of cheering for our young athletes at games, meets, and award ceremonies. The joy of witnessing your child’s achievements—whether it’s the crack of a bat or the swoosh of a winning basket—is unparalleled. I’ve perfected that proud parent smile and learned how to graciously accept compliments about my child’s talents. I often envision our kids excelling in high school sports, with scouts in the stands and endless opportunities ahead.
However, my daydream is abruptly interrupted by the frustrated murmurs of nearby parents. A prized player has been benched to allow a less coordinated teammate some playing time, and one dad grumbles, “Great! There goes the game.” I wince, hoping the child’s parents are not within earshot. They are, and I recognize their expressions of disappointment. I empathize deeply, as I too am the parent of a “less athletic” child.
It’s important to remember that children develop at different rates, and my older son simply hasn’t hit his stride like his younger sibling. This disparity can lead to frustration, not just for him but also from coaches, teammates, and sometimes, even other parents. The risk is that he might lose interest in sports altogether.
Watching his games is an entirely different experience compared to the younger sibling’s matches. While his teammates dominate the field, he often finds himself on the bench, waiting for his moment. When he finally gets called to play, I hold my breath, hoping for a smooth performance. Recently, during a soccer match, he was in a prime position to score. He dribbled the ball with determination and took a powerful kick—only to completely miss it and fall flat on his back.
I heard a mother exclaim, “Oh, come on!” and a dad threw his hands up in exasperation. My heart sank for my son as he laughed off the awkward moment and jumped back into the game. That resilience—getting back up after a fall—is far more commendable than any home run or game-winning goal his brother might achieve.
Those negative comments stung. Sports should be about fostering confidence, character, and sportsmanship, not tearing down a child because they’re not as skilled. Parents may feel it’s not their responsibility to boost my child’s self-esteem, but it’s certainly out of line to undermine it.
Some might argue that today’s children are overly entitled, expecting rewards for mere participation. While I acknowledge that entitlement exists, it stems from parents who micromanage and shield their kids from failure rather than promoting perseverance and effort. Our children need to learn teamwork, respect, and resilience, not to throw tantrums when they feel slighted.
So, let us make a pact as parents of athletic children: we must trust coaches to do their jobs, support all players regardless of their performance, and teach our kids to help each other back up after a fall. After all, nurturing a positive sports environment benefits everyone.
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In summary, let’s encourage our children to embrace the journey of sports, to learn from their mistakes, and to always uplift one another—regardless of their athletic abilities.