– by Walt Mueller
©2004, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
*This article originally appeared in Living With Teenagers magazine
Yesterday, I watched my 17 year old daughter play her heart out in the last game of her high school field hockey career. When the final whistle sounded and she walked off the field after a 1-0 playoff defeat, she cried.
As I was driving home from the game I thought back over the years of watching Caitlin play countless games of field hockey, soccer, softball, and a variety of other sports. She’s a good athlete whose love for play has brought her lots of success on the field. During the drive I also got to thinking about what kind of “sports parent” I’ve been to Caitlin and my other three children over the last dozen or so years. While I’d like to think I’ve done it all the right way, I’ve got to admit that I’ve probably done some things wrong.
If you’re a parent of one of the 30 million kids participating in youth and/or school sports in America – and you most likely are – it’s a good idea to think seriously about your response to their use of their God-given athletic ability. Recent research seems to point to the fact that perhaps we’re doing our kids more harm than good. A survey conducted by Michigan State Universityfound that 70% of our kids will drop out of sports by the age of 13. Their reason – because adults (mostly parents) have turned playing games into a negative experience that just isn’t fun anymore. Hey, I’d quit too! It’s also probably not surprising that legions of young kids who are pushed to play at higher and higher levels at younger and younger ages are getting seriously injured at unprecedented rates. National surveys estimate that each year, there are about 3.5 million sports-related injuries to kids under 15. At just the time they should be looking forward to teenage years full of sport, they’re too burnt out and too hurt to play.
Without a doubt, youth sports can provide many benefits. There’s the benefit of good health and improved physical fitness that comes with athletics. Sports can teach cooperation and teamwork. Play can be fun. And there’s lessons to be learned about life from both winning and losing. But rather than reaping these benefits, too many kids are paying the price that comes from too much parental pressure to win or be the best. Before they’re even halfway through elementary school, too many of our kids have already chosen one sport to specialize in and play year-round. They’ve been placed on premier teams that practice several days a week and then travel here, there, and everywhere for weekend games and tournaments. Times have changed since the days when most “organized” sports were organized by kids who converged on a neighborhood backyard after school. The only shouting done by adults were the shouts summoning kids home for dinner. When it came to play, ten-year-old kids couldn’t get enough. Today, they say they’ve had more than enough.
As I thought about what kind of sports parent I’ve been, several guidelines I’ve learned from my own experience came to mind. I think they might be worth thinking about. Here they are:
First, if they haven’t been blessed by God with athletic ability, don’t push them. I’ve coached baseball for ten years. On more than one occasion I’ve had a young player show up who has very little natural baseball ability. Even with lots of practice, things don’t improve greatly. From time to time, these kids have a mom or dad who think their son is destined to be the next Ken Griffey, Jr. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sadly, these unrealistic expectations make the game anything but enjoyable for everyone involved. The element of fun soon disappears.
Second, if they have been blessed by God with athletic ability, don’t push them. Yes, we have a responsibility before God to equip and encourage them to do their best by playing up to their abilities. But too much pressure to be the best has been the straw that broke the camel’s back of lot’s of young athletes who had great potential.
Third, let them have fun. Baseball is a game. Football is a game. Soccer is a game. Hockey is a game. Basketball is a game. Games are meant to be played. Play is meant to be fun. Experts say that when the enjoyment is gone, it’s usually not long until a young person walks away. Let them play and have fun as children. That’s what they are.
And finally, teach them how to win and lose with dignity. Perhaps the best way to get that message across is to keep on loving them whether or not they win or lose. I’ve talked with too many teens who feel like their parents’ love and approval hinges on the final score. That’s too bad. They’re all winners if they’ve played to the glory of God.
Remember how Caitlin cried after her last game? After a couple of big hugs from dad and mom she was smiling again. Sure, the loss hurt. But when put into the perspective of her entire life and God’s eternity, Caitlin realized that yesterday’s loss really didn’t matter that much. After all, it was only a game.
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