Encouraging sporting prowess in young kids
Discussion
(not sure if this is the correct sub-forum)
We had our 3 year old at the climbing wall today and without sounding like a gushing father she was excellent, as she seems to be at any "sport" she tries. We're taking about being able to throw and catch balls below 18 months etc. Quite where she get's her hand/eye coordination from I don't know but it isn't mum or dad!
However, wife was a gymnast to high level and we would like her to get into sports as early as possible.
Obviously it'll all depend on what she enjoys (at 3 it's dancing, trampolining and climbing so far) but I figured there must have been parents on this forum who've had kids go on and do well-play for county level for instance.
We're not trying to create some Tiger Woods freak show or whatever, just a good sound enjoyment and ability in sport as we both as parents really understand the benefits ourselves. We also however both had parents who pushed us into sports we didn't really want to do or excelled in so we're really trying to not follow that route.
We had our 3 year old at the climbing wall today and without sounding like a gushing father she was excellent, as she seems to be at any "sport" she tries. We're taking about being able to throw and catch balls below 18 months etc. Quite where she get's her hand/eye coordination from I don't know but it isn't mum or dad!
However, wife was a gymnast to high level and we would like her to get into sports as early as possible.
Obviously it'll all depend on what she enjoys (at 3 it's dancing, trampolining and climbing so far) but I figured there must have been parents on this forum who've had kids go on and do well-play for county level for instance.
We're not trying to create some Tiger Woods freak show or whatever, just a good sound enjoyment and ability in sport as we both as parents really understand the benefits ourselves. We also however both had parents who pushed us into sports we didn't really want to do or excelled in so we're really trying to not follow that route.
Not a parent, but surely just encouraging them to do whatever they enjoy will result in the best for them in later life?
While your wife was a gymnast etc, doesn't actually mean the child will be any good at it or enjoy it. Introduce them to it, maybe when they're a bit older and can appreciate it more, but you'd have to be ready to accept that they might be better at Boxing or reading books than anything else you might have enjoyed.
While your wife was a gymnast etc, doesn't actually mean the child will be any good at it or enjoy it. Introduce them to it, maybe when they're a bit older and can appreciate it more, but you'd have to be ready to accept that they might be better at Boxing or reading books than anything else you might have enjoyed.
As a father of 4 I can tell you want often happens (and I read a LOT on this when mine where little)
First off, behind many great sports people there is a dedicated parent - especially in sports where dedicated parents help (such as lewis hamilton needing his dad to get him to races - as opposed to wayne rooney who could kick a ball anywhere)
and dedictaed parents help - a lot. But, having had a kids that did various sports to highish level.......think long and hard about why. I got sucked into a rabbit hole with mine. Up at stupid o'clock for training, my life revolved around them and the sports. And to what end?
The chance of making a living from any sport is remote to say the least - the chance of making a living doing trampolining is non-exisstant so bear that in mind! It's fair to say they learn stuff from sport BUT they learn stuff from life with or without sport if they have a good parent (which they obviulsy do).
My son who had the most put into him (and dropped his sport at 16 after playing since 5) doesnt exibit any of the traits I'd have thought he would have got from being so well regraded and rewarded for his abilities when younger (now he is 20 and at work) - if anything, when they leave the sport they where great at, and go into a life where they are just a nobody, they have a confidence knock!
Sure - kids should play sports. They make friends, have fun, etc - but the point of investing a large amount of time and effort on YOUR part into making them GREAT at a sport is questionable IMO. When they drop it, and they will in 99% of cases as a teen they do so to fill their life with other stuff - you are the one left with hole. For me, thats been ok - I filled my life with getting me in shape and now am fitter at 46 than I have ever been in my life (in fact, I ran an ultra marathon yesterday for a laugh!)
I now take a very back seat to their sports - for example one of my younger kids is 15 and 6ft6 - He's the only one of my schildren that will end up bigger than me (he needs to fill out a bit!) amd he has no interest in anything beyond girls and instagram......but he does see me come home every weekend with a little medal from a 10k, spartan, ultra, whatever and he's interested. So I've sat him down and explained very clearly....."you are a going to end up as a larger human than the VAST majority of humans on the planet.....that gives you a tool few others will have. If you carry on, you'll end up an accountant carry a heavy tool around that you don't use, don't need and gets in the way (like his dad!) ....or, you can dabble in rowing, basketball, etc where that tool is great....and you will have the huge possibility of becoming VERY much better than the vast majority of others...and maybe even the slim possibility of that greatness taking you someone - scholorship, coaching career, whatever.....and the miniscule possibility of it making you a good, fun living. Let me know if you want any help with that"
After summer holidays, he's joing the school rowing team so who knows? Me, I'll help him.....unless his row meet clashes with my Spartan race !!!!! Then he can ask his brother for a lift, I put in my time already
Should also add - something I saw a lot....parents that throw themselves into their kids, in any way, often have to accept a compromise on their other relationships (like with their spouse) - I was just as guilty. EVERY weekend I was away with the kids. At somepoint that "role" stops - whether the kid quits, grows up and look after themsleves, etc - and you have to hope you are still good with your other half! I saw plenty of parents where, once the sport/child was out of their life - they realised the kid was the only common interest they still had! (although thats not just sport, thats throwing yourself into your kids in any sense. I have friends who's facebook is 100% their kids and no longer them on nights out. I'm a big beliver of understanding your relationship with each other is for life....your kids are NOT kids for life. They will go! Understand your role as a parent is temporay.....yeah, yeah, I get they still need help after the move out - but that 24/7 role that many give it, that doesnt stay)
First off, behind many great sports people there is a dedicated parent - especially in sports where dedicated parents help (such as lewis hamilton needing his dad to get him to races - as opposed to wayne rooney who could kick a ball anywhere)
and dedictaed parents help - a lot. But, having had a kids that did various sports to highish level.......think long and hard about why. I got sucked into a rabbit hole with mine. Up at stupid o'clock for training, my life revolved around them and the sports. And to what end?
The chance of making a living from any sport is remote to say the least - the chance of making a living doing trampolining is non-exisstant so bear that in mind! It's fair to say they learn stuff from sport BUT they learn stuff from life with or without sport if they have a good parent (which they obviulsy do).
My son who had the most put into him (and dropped his sport at 16 after playing since 5) doesnt exibit any of the traits I'd have thought he would have got from being so well regraded and rewarded for his abilities when younger (now he is 20 and at work) - if anything, when they leave the sport they where great at, and go into a life where they are just a nobody, they have a confidence knock!
Sure - kids should play sports. They make friends, have fun, etc - but the point of investing a large amount of time and effort on YOUR part into making them GREAT at a sport is questionable IMO. When they drop it, and they will in 99% of cases as a teen they do so to fill their life with other stuff - you are the one left with hole. For me, thats been ok - I filled my life with getting me in shape and now am fitter at 46 than I have ever been in my life (in fact, I ran an ultra marathon yesterday for a laugh!)
I now take a very back seat to their sports - for example one of my younger kids is 15 and 6ft6 - He's the only one of my schildren that will end up bigger than me (he needs to fill out a bit!) amd he has no interest in anything beyond girls and instagram......but he does see me come home every weekend with a little medal from a 10k, spartan, ultra, whatever and he's interested. So I've sat him down and explained very clearly....."you are a going to end up as a larger human than the VAST majority of humans on the planet.....that gives you a tool few others will have. If you carry on, you'll end up an accountant carry a heavy tool around that you don't use, don't need and gets in the way (like his dad!) ....or, you can dabble in rowing, basketball, etc where that tool is great....and you will have the huge possibility of becoming VERY much better than the vast majority of others...and maybe even the slim possibility of that greatness taking you someone - scholorship, coaching career, whatever.....and the miniscule possibility of it making you a good, fun living. Let me know if you want any help with that"
After summer holidays, he's joing the school rowing team so who knows? Me, I'll help him.....unless his row meet clashes with my Spartan race !!!!! Then he can ask his brother for a lift, I put in my time already
Should also add - something I saw a lot....parents that throw themselves into their kids, in any way, often have to accept a compromise on their other relationships (like with their spouse) - I was just as guilty. EVERY weekend I was away with the kids. At somepoint that "role" stops - whether the kid quits, grows up and look after themsleves, etc - and you have to hope you are still good with your other half! I saw plenty of parents where, once the sport/child was out of their life - they realised the kid was the only common interest they still had! (although thats not just sport, thats throwing yourself into your kids in any sense. I have friends who's facebook is 100% their kids and no longer them on nights out. I'm a big beliver of understanding your relationship with each other is for life....your kids are NOT kids for life. They will go! Understand your role as a parent is temporay.....yeah, yeah, I get they still need help after the move out - but that 24/7 role that many give it, that doesnt stay)
Edited by Tiggsy on Monday 12th August 09:05
Although there are always exceptions, many people who have succeeded at sports, acting, music etc have parents who support them financially and with encouragement and with their time.
The child has to have some ability which is often genetic but in order to succeed, that activity usually has to be the centre of the child’s social life and thing THEY enjoy doing more than anything else.
If the training isn’t fun and something they love going to, then they will never be that great at it.
Any activity you go to is full of parents trying to live their lives through their kids. It’s both bad for the parent and the kid.
The child has to have some ability which is often genetic but in order to succeed, that activity usually has to be the centre of the child’s social life and thing THEY enjoy doing more than anything else.
If the training isn’t fun and something they love going to, then they will never be that great at it.
Any activity you go to is full of parents trying to live their lives through their kids. It’s both bad for the parent and the kid.
Sport and fitness is important, but I struggle to see the point of high level competition. For every Wayne Rooney, Lewis Hamilton or, er, Johnny Wilkinson there's thousands of kids who have spent hours in the car being taxied about the country for years.It's a massive commitment and schooling will inevitably suffer.
My son started Taekwondo at the age of 8 by the age of 20 he was a second dan blackbelt and reached the quarter finals in the student nationals. We didn't push him to do it at all, it was his choice and his choice to work hard to achieve it. My daughter on teh other hand is totally unmotivated by any sport.
When I was a student, I was a semi professional windsurfer (sponsored kit and travel but no salary
) Like my son with TKD this was my own choice, although my Dad sailed Firefly's in the GB Olympic team when he was young, but he never got windsurfing so again didn't push.
I just believe in letting my kids have every opportunity that they can, but its up to them to choose what to pursue and how hard to push.
When I was a student, I was a semi professional windsurfer (sponsored kit and travel but no salary
) Like my son with TKD this was my own choice, although my Dad sailed Firefly's in the GB Olympic team when he was young, but he never got windsurfing so again didn't push.I just believe in letting my kids have every opportunity that they can, but its up to them to choose what to pursue and how hard to push.
Two cases in point...
I've got talking to my decorator, cos he's a lovely bloke with kids at the same school. He was going to be a footballer. Lived, breathed, ate football. Went semi-pro, did a few seasons getting paid travel money. But that was it. Full of regrets as he has no qualifications bar his apprenticeship.
The other is a lad at my kids' school who does gymnastics and trampolining, and is winning at county level under 12s. But has moved to a private school as his attendance was suffering and they're less picky in the private system.
I've got talking to my decorator, cos he's a lovely bloke with kids at the same school. He was going to be a footballer. Lived, breathed, ate football. Went semi-pro, did a few seasons getting paid travel money. But that was it. Full of regrets as he has no qualifications bar his apprenticeship.
The other is a lad at my kids' school who does gymnastics and trampolining, and is winning at county level under 12s. But has moved to a private school as his attendance was suffering and they're less picky in the private system.
Bill said:
The other is a lad at my kids' school who does gymnastics and trampolining, and is winning at county level under 12s. But has moved to a private school as his attendance was suffering and they're less picky in the private system.
Be interesting how that turns out - not many well paid adult trampoliners (outside the circus?) so I wonder how many parents just ask themsleves "why"??And maybe they come up with a good answer - in which case, you nailed it - crack on.
El stovey said:
Any activity you go to is full of parents trying to live their lives through their kids. It’s both bad for the parent and the kid.
I was at a race some time back where there was a kids race first, saw one kid dragged off his feet by his competitive mother who was trying to get him to sprint to the finish line. That's not going to make him enjoy it.I help out at my local Junior Parkrun (2km, up to 14yo), and there's loads of kids who absolutely love it, but definitely a few who are getting dragged around by parents. A lot of the kids who love it do so because loads of their mates are in to it and they like meeting up on a Saturday morning and charging around with their mates. So I reckon getting them in to something with a social aspect is probably the way to keep the interested.
I think a lot of the time it is 'gushing' if I am brutally honest - my son is now 7, at 10 months he was up and running around, at 12 months throwing a ball through a basket hoop and never missing, at 18 months we were on the green kicking a football to each other, he could kick it 20 yards no problem straight to my feet each time, strangers walking by would stop and watch. At 2 years he got bored of football and wanted to do other things, two years ago at the age of five he was at the LTA playing tennis with Greg Rusedski thanks to a local initiative (we live near Roehampton). He doesn't do tennis anymore he didn't want to.
You know what I am focusing on...him learning to read, write and make himself heard - work on his social skills - this will carry him through life. A tiny proportion of people who start out in sport make a living out of it, a very tiny percent. And also when you go to these elite centres you realise how average your 'prodigy' is at the LTA I was watching a 10 year old smashing the ball back and forth with a training coach like you wouldn't believe, this ten year old would beat pretty much any adult posting on PH. Unfortunately I think to be a professional athlete you do have to do what the OP mentioned which is literally train the hell out of kids on their chosen sport.
You know what I am focusing on...him learning to read, write and make himself heard - work on his social skills - this will carry him through life. A tiny proportion of people who start out in sport make a living out of it, a very tiny percent. And also when you go to these elite centres you realise how average your 'prodigy' is at the LTA I was watching a 10 year old smashing the ball back and forth with a training coach like you wouldn't believe, this ten year old would beat pretty much any adult posting on PH. Unfortunately I think to be a professional athlete you do have to do what the OP mentioned which is literally train the hell out of kids on their chosen sport.
The main thing is the child needs to enjoy it as without enjoyment there is no point. Encourage them and be supportive without being pushy- nothing worse than parents who think they know more than coaches. Also if you have more than one child you need to find a balance.
I have spent 12 years taking one son to football, driving thousands of miles and sacrificing social life, promotion opportunities etc. Was it worth it? Well my oldest son has now been a professional footballer for 5 years and my youngest has coaching and refereeing qualifications. Both wanted to do what they’ve done and have never been pushed.
It takes years of dedication, hard work from both the parents and kids but worth it for the pride in seeing them out on the pitch giving enjoyment to others.
I have spent 12 years taking one son to football, driving thousands of miles and sacrificing social life, promotion opportunities etc. Was it worth it? Well my oldest son has now been a professional footballer for 5 years and my youngest has coaching and refereeing qualifications. Both wanted to do what they’ve done and have never been pushed.
It takes years of dedication, hard work from both the parents and kids but worth it for the pride in seeing them out on the pitch giving enjoyment to others.
Some fantastic posts so far, thanks especially Tiggsy! I'll digest everything and reply properly later when I have more time. It maybe wasn't clear from my initial post I emphatically don't want to try and turn out the next Tiger Woods! I understand the realities of making a living playing any sport professionally.
However, as well as reading and writing I still see the enormous benefits in introducing a reward for effort life that sport brings. It's not so much the sport but trying to make sure they enjoy it and learn the benefits instead of sitting in front of an iPad or TV for all their formative years.
However, as well as reading and writing I still see the enormous benefits in introducing a reward for effort life that sport brings. It's not so much the sport but trying to make sure they enjoy it and learn the benefits instead of sitting in front of an iPad or TV for all their formative years.
I think a lot of the time new parents are blown away by what kids can do at young ages, without realising that lots of other kids are doing that too. As others have said, those formative years just let them do what they like, if they are smiling and laughing then you are doing the right thing. I could have gotten very excited by the fact my 5 year old was hitting a ball across the net with Greg Rusedski but my son said very clearly despite being a natural (whatever that means) and even having it filmed and shown on Sky Sports that he didn't like doing it, so we didn't pursue it. Mind you I got to chat with Johanna Konta and she did a training session with him, so it had it's benefits for a short time 
Tiggsy said:
As a father of 4 I can tell you want often happens (and I read a LOT on this when mine where little)
First off, behind many great sports people there is a dedicated parent - especially in sports where dedicated parents help (such as lewis hamilton needing his dad to get him to races - as opposed to wayne rooney who could kick a ball anywhere)
and dedictaed parents help - a lot. But, having had a kids that did various sports to highish level.......think long and hard about why. I got sucked into a rabbit hole with mine. Up at stupid o'clock for training, my life revolved around them and the sports. And to what end?
The chance of making a living from any sport is remote to say the least - the chance of making a living doing trampolining is non-exisstant so bear that in mind! It's fair to say they learn stuff from sport BUT they learn stuff from life with or without sport if they have a good parent (which they obviulsy do).
My son who had the most put into him (and dropped his sport at 16 after playing since 5) doesnt exibit any of the traits I'd have thought he would have got from being so well regraded and rewarded for his abilities when younger (now he is 20 and at work) - if anything, when they leave the sport they where great at, and go into a life where they are just a nobody, they have a confidence knock!
Sure - kids should play sports. They make friends, have fun, etc - but the point of investing a large amount of time and effort on YOUR part into making them GREAT at a sport is questionable IMO. When they drop it, and they will in 99% of cases as a teen they do so to fill their life with other stuff - you are the one left with hole. For me, thats been ok - I filled my life with getting me in shape and now am fitter at 46 than I have ever been in my life (in fact, I ran an ultra marathon yesterday for a laugh!)
I now take a very back seat to their sports - for example one of my younger kids is 15 and 6ft6 - He's the only one of my schildren that will end up bigger than me (he needs to fill out a bit!) amd he has no interest in anything beyond girls and instagram......but he does see me come home every weekend with a little medal from a 10k, spartan, ultra, whatever and he's interested. So I've sat him down and explained very clearly....."you are a going to end up as a larger human than the VAST majority of humans on the planet.....that gives you a tool few others will have. If you carry on, you'll end up an accountant carry a heavy tool around that you don't use, don't need and gets in the way (like his dad!) ....or, you can dabble in rowing, basketball, etc where that tool is great....and you will have the huge possibility of becoming VERY much better than the vast majority of others...and maybe even the slim possibility of that greatness taking you someone - scholorship, coaching career, whatever.....and the miniscule possibility of it making you a good, fun living. Let me know if you want any help with that"
After summer holidays, he's joing the school rowing team so who knows? Me, I'll help him.....unless his row meet clashes with my Spartan race !!!!! Then he can ask his brother for a lift, I put in my time already
Should also add - something I saw a lot....parents that throw themselves into their kids, in any way, often have to accept a compromise on their other relationships (like with their spouse) - I was just as guilty. EVERY weekend I was away with the kids. At somepoint that "role" stops - whether the kid quits, grows up and look after themsleves, etc - and you have to hope you are still good with your other half! I saw plenty of parents where, once the sport/child was out of their life - they realised the kid was the only common interest they still had! (although thats not just sport, thats throwing yourself into your kids in any sense. I have friends who's facebook is 100% their kids and no longer them on nights out. I'm a big beliver of understanding your relationship with each other is for life....your kids are NOT kids for life. They will go! Understand your role as a parent is temporay.....yeah, yeah, I get they still need help after the move out - but that 24/7 role that many give it, that doesnt stay)
At my son's football team the boys who are first born dads are at every game/training session, dreaming of following their son to a professional career. First off, behind many great sports people there is a dedicated parent - especially in sports where dedicated parents help (such as lewis hamilton needing his dad to get him to races - as opposed to wayne rooney who could kick a ball anywhere)
and dedictaed parents help - a lot. But, having had a kids that did various sports to highish level.......think long and hard about why. I got sucked into a rabbit hole with mine. Up at stupid o'clock for training, my life revolved around them and the sports. And to what end?
The chance of making a living from any sport is remote to say the least - the chance of making a living doing trampolining is non-exisstant so bear that in mind! It's fair to say they learn stuff from sport BUT they learn stuff from life with or without sport if they have a good parent (which they obviulsy do).
My son who had the most put into him (and dropped his sport at 16 after playing since 5) doesnt exibit any of the traits I'd have thought he would have got from being so well regraded and rewarded for his abilities when younger (now he is 20 and at work) - if anything, when they leave the sport they where great at, and go into a life where they are just a nobody, they have a confidence knock!
Sure - kids should play sports. They make friends, have fun, etc - but the point of investing a large amount of time and effort on YOUR part into making them GREAT at a sport is questionable IMO. When they drop it, and they will in 99% of cases as a teen they do so to fill their life with other stuff - you are the one left with hole. For me, thats been ok - I filled my life with getting me in shape and now am fitter at 46 than I have ever been in my life (in fact, I ran an ultra marathon yesterday for a laugh!)
I now take a very back seat to their sports - for example one of my younger kids is 15 and 6ft6 - He's the only one of my schildren that will end up bigger than me (he needs to fill out a bit!) amd he has no interest in anything beyond girls and instagram......but he does see me come home every weekend with a little medal from a 10k, spartan, ultra, whatever and he's interested. So I've sat him down and explained very clearly....."you are a going to end up as a larger human than the VAST majority of humans on the planet.....that gives you a tool few others will have. If you carry on, you'll end up an accountant carry a heavy tool around that you don't use, don't need and gets in the way (like his dad!) ....or, you can dabble in rowing, basketball, etc where that tool is great....and you will have the huge possibility of becoming VERY much better than the vast majority of others...and maybe even the slim possibility of that greatness taking you someone - scholorship, coaching career, whatever.....and the miniscule possibility of it making you a good, fun living. Let me know if you want any help with that"
After summer holidays, he's joing the school rowing team so who knows? Me, I'll help him.....unless his row meet clashes with my Spartan race !!!!! Then he can ask his brother for a lift, I put in my time already
Should also add - something I saw a lot....parents that throw themselves into their kids, in any way, often have to accept a compromise on their other relationships (like with their spouse) - I was just as guilty. EVERY weekend I was away with the kids. At somepoint that "role" stops - whether the kid quits, grows up and look after themsleves, etc - and you have to hope you are still good with your other half! I saw plenty of parents where, once the sport/child was out of their life - they realised the kid was the only common interest they still had! (although thats not just sport, thats throwing yourself into your kids in any sense. I have friends who's facebook is 100% their kids and no longer them on nights out. I'm a big beliver of understanding your relationship with each other is for life....your kids are NOT kids for life. They will go! Understand your role as a parent is temporay.....yeah, yeah, I get they still need help after the move out - but that 24/7 role that many give it, that doesnt stay)
Edited by Tiggsy on Monday 12th August 09:05
The kids who are second or third children dads hardly ever turn up, leaving it to the mother to do lifts etc, as when getting a chance to chat to them and asking politely how they get around the constant lifts etc, they shrug and say they have done it all before for their kids to drop out at 14-16 and don't see the point in killing themselves driving miles for no reason, preferring now to do the youngest's dancing lesson or whatever is closest to the house.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Some fantastic posts so far, thanks especially Tiggsy! I'll digest everything and reply properly later when I have more time. It maybe wasn't clear from my initial post I emphatically don't want to try and turn out the next Tiger Woods! I understand the realities of making a living playing any sport professionally.
You do mention county level though. That's a significant degree more commitment than just decent school or club level. And if you have ambition at county level, there's no way you wouldn't push beyond if possible. 
My mate's five year old was worried that if he was asked to play for Barcelona, his mum and dad might miss him too much and he'd have to come home.
They assured him that with the apartment he could buy them in the city, they thought they'd cope with regular visits...
So sweet.
They assured him that with the apartment he could buy them in the city, they thought they'd cope with regular visits...
So sweet.
Edited by Mothersruin on Monday 12th August 14:07
Having coached kids in different sports, I'd say to let her try whichever she wants and whatever she enjoys playing she'll do more of. It also depends on the coach as some can turn the most fun sport in to dull, repetitive drills that have kids wishing the session was over, whilst other coaches can turn a staid sport into an amazing, fun-filled time that will have kids coming back for more.
Bill said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Some fantastic posts so far, thanks especially Tiggsy! I'll digest everything and reply properly later when I have more time. It maybe wasn't clear from my initial post I emphatically don't want to try and turn out the next Tiger Woods! I understand the realities of making a living playing any sport professionally.
You do mention county level though. That's a significant degree more commitment than just decent school or club level. And if you have ambition at county level, there's no way you wouldn't push beyond if possible. We both as parents, feel an early exposure to sport helps build some good recognition in the child that practice and training achieves results. My wife in particular feels her masters and degree etc is mainly down to her formative training in sport instilling a healthy attitude to "practice makes perfect".
I really agree with her on this and it's this attitude we want to encourage.
Encourage them to try different sports, most sports are complimentary in some way to other sports. Don't even think about specialisation for a very long time. Encourage them to have a great attitude and to make friends. Have a great attitude yourself. Do not take it too seriously - the important thing is fun.
As a parent your role is to facilitate, provide support, but don't do everything for them. Find a good coach, instructor and let them do their thing. If it's a sport you dont know a great deal about, then learn about it. Respect the volunteers and officials that allow the sport / activity to happen, volunteer yourself.
Let them do what they enjoy - sometimes winning makes things more enjoyable, but its not the be all and end all. My now 12yo is into cycling - road, track, mtb. She loves it - she loves having friends the length and breadth of the country as well as locally who share an interest. She is competitive as at now, but everything changes through puberty and beyond. Talented people come into the sport from elsewhere - kids that win all the time sometimes get disheartened by this. Kids who do go on to become succesful don't need or want parents to push them - the drive has to come from within. Everybody develops at a different age, so don't get hung up about comparing to other kids. My daughter also plays badminton, its fun but she will never be any good at that. My goal for her is that she continues to love cycling - whether for the competition or just socially - way beyond childhood.
As a parent your role is to facilitate, provide support, but don't do everything for them. Find a good coach, instructor and let them do their thing. If it's a sport you dont know a great deal about, then learn about it. Respect the volunteers and officials that allow the sport / activity to happen, volunteer yourself.
Let them do what they enjoy - sometimes winning makes things more enjoyable, but its not the be all and end all. My now 12yo is into cycling - road, track, mtb. She loves it - she loves having friends the length and breadth of the country as well as locally who share an interest. She is competitive as at now, but everything changes through puberty and beyond. Talented people come into the sport from elsewhere - kids that win all the time sometimes get disheartened by this. Kids who do go on to become succesful don't need or want parents to push them - the drive has to come from within. Everybody develops at a different age, so don't get hung up about comparing to other kids. My daughter also plays badminton, its fun but she will never be any good at that. My goal for her is that she continues to love cycling - whether for the competition or just socially - way beyond childhood.
Edited by Exige46 on Tuesday 13th August 03:39
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