Often unknowingly, parents give kids a mixed message when it comes to playing youth sports. Parents mean well of course, when they insist that kids go out and have fun, but they do not realize the mixed message they send with the "I just want you to have fun" statement.
The mixed message comes about because rarely is the have fun sentiment left at that. Many parents do one or many of the following things before, during, or after games that put pressure on kids and suggests that sport is more than just going out and having fun.
Parents say "have fun" then proceed to:
Tell them a million things to do during games.
Continually enroll them in leagues, camps, clinic, lessons, etc. without considering whether the child wants to or not
Getnoticeably upset during and after games when kids struggle
Nagkids to practice more
Berate their child'scoach when their kid struggles
Grill players after games as to why they did what they did
Act mad or ignore kids after bad performances
These are all common ways that parents send a mixed message to kids that they just want them to have fun. Rather, it is go out and have fun, but make sure you do well along the way or there are consequences an unhappy parent.
After playing major league baseball, Jack Perconte has taught baseball and softball since 1988 and offered valuable coaching training too. He has helped numerous youth players reach their potential, as well as having helped parents and coaches navigate their way through the challenging world of youth sports. Jack is one of the leading authorities in the areas of youth baseball training and coaching training advice.
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