Most parents like to encourage their children to excel in sports, but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of games and practices and become overzealous. Then kids' sports can become serious parents' issues, which can increase stress in children.
Be on the lookout for these warning signs that you've crossed the line:
- You focus on the outcome of the game not on kid fitness or fun.
- During games, you don't excercise reasonable parents' discipline and instead shout negative, critical remarks at your child, other children, the coaches or the referees.
- Your child no longer enjoys playing the sport or has even asked you to stop coming to the games.
- You constantly compare your child's skills to others.
- You punish or act coldly toward your children if they don't perform up to your expectations.
- You force your children to do family home activities such as practicing until you think they've shown significant improvement.
- You're more concerned about the team winning than if your child had fun participating.
- You push your child with the hopes of getting an athletic scholarship, or have aspirations of your child having a pro sports career.