Parenting Sporty Kids Is a great thing.
The kids have fun, get exercise, learn important motor skills and they learn about compromise and sportsmanship. They make new friends. They can earn scholarships
I mean it’s all fun and games right?
Well, no. It’s definitely not all positive.
You could have a concussed football 🏈 or an injured runner. Your child can come home with a black eye from playing street hockey with the neighborhood kids.
There is the time and financial commitment for the family for any organized sport. For the child on a school team, there is time pent away from school and homework.
As a parent of sporty kids, you also quickly learn that there will be plenty of bumps and bruises along the way.
It is for you, your go-parent, and your child to determine if it’s all worth it.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the thrills and spills of being a parent to sporty kids. We’ll discuss some of the benefits of having active children, as well as some of the challenges you may face along the way. So whether your child is just starting out in sports, or is a seasoned pro, read on for helpful tips.
Encourage Them To Follow Their Dreams
The most important thing as a parent of sporty kids is to encourage them to pursue their passions and follow their dreams. Whether it’s football, tennis or something completely different, support your child if they express an interest in sports. Letting them know that you are there for them and will help them get the right equipment and lessons can go a long way towards building confidence. For example, if your child expresses an interest in tennis, sign them up for some lessons and get the right racket and ball.
Help Develop Good Habits
Participation in sports comes with responsibility—and teaching children good habits early on can help lead to success both on and off the field. Together, set rules around safety, nutrition, hydration, bedtime and more that will ensure they stay healthy while playing sports.
Be There For Them
Being a parent of sporty kids can be stressful, especially when the pressure is on. While it’s important to keep your expectations realistic and focus on development over winning, make sure you are there for them when they need you—whether it’s just to talk about their game or give emotional support after a loss.
Prepare for Injuries
It’s inevitable that children will get hurt playing sports. Carry basic first aid and any medications that your child needs. Make sure you have an emergency plan in place. Be sure to have your child’s health information on hand, be aware of the location of the nearest hospital and when to go to the emergency room instead of their doctor. It can also help to stay up-to-date with any medical recommendations and protocols from their coach. For example, a flipper tooth can be the ideal solution for a knocked-out tooth or broken jaw during football practice.
Celebrate Their Successes
At the end of the day, it’s important to take a step back and celebrate all their successes—big or small. Whether it’s scoring that first goal or completing an entire season free from injury, recognize and reward your child for everything they have accomplished. Be sure to thank coaches, teammates and other parents as well!
Parenting sporty kids can be both exciting and challenging. But with a little patience and understanding, you can help your children become successful athletes while also learning valuable life lessons along the way. So get ready to cheer them on as they go for gold!
