Perhaps nowhere is our questionable example more powerfully displayed than outside the white lines surrounding our kids’ fields of play. I’ve found the following directives to be helpful guides for being a responsible sideline parent.  “Winning isn’t everything.” “Playing hard while maintaining Godly character is everything.” “Win or lose, the final score will soon be forgotten.” “Games are to be played.” “Play is to be fun.” “Let them play.” “Let them have fun.” “If you can’t say anything constructive or encouraging, keep your mouth shut.” “Let the official call the game.” “Live your life in your own shoes. Let them play in theirs.” Plato once said, “You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than you can in a lifetime of conversation.” A twist on Plato’s words ring true today: we can learn quite a bit about a parent in a few minutes of observing them watch their own child play. Parents, if we’re going to scream anything, it should be words of encouragement, praise, and acceptance.