7 Signs That You are a Sports Parent Snob

It’s easy to point the finger at other parents and say that they are the problem, because most people who are snobbish about their kids are totally unaware of it.

Perhaps we all experience lapses into sports parent snobbery every now and then, and those are understandable since we are proud of our kids and want to let everyone know that. But there are some who just can’t stop themselves from being sports parent snobs on a regular basis.

Do any of these signs fit you?

You think your child is the best player on the team and deserves to be in the game all the time. He may be really good, but he is not the entire team.

You tell your child to “take charge” because this is “his” team. I’ve actually heard a parent say this to his child. It’s okay for your child to be a leader on the team, but the team belongs to everyone, not just him.

You are quick to blame others for mistakes your child made. When my daughter played basketball in high school, I often heard one mom blame other people for her child’s mistakes. Of course, the parents around her didn’t appreciate that one bit.

You are adamant that your child deserves a college scholarship. It’s okay for your child to work towards that dream, but some parents are blinded by unrealistic ambition. Your child may or may not be good enough for a college scholarship, but that must be his passion, not yours. Your child may be a decent player, but there comes a point when some parents should take off the rose colored glasses and realize that their child just may not be cut out for Division 1 sports–or for college sports at all.

You have a habit of doubting the coach’s decisions and thinking you know better. It’s so easy to criticize from the stands. But until you’ve walked in the coach’s shoes, until you’ve spent hours in practice and in preparation, you cannot fully understand why a coach does what he does.

You have a hard time congratulating another player when he does better than your child. This is especially tough after your kid has a less than stellar game. But remember that this team is not all about your child.

You have few interests outside of your child’s sports activities. Youth sports can suck you in and wrap you up until it seems you have no other identity. It’s healthier for you and your child if you maintain some balance and have a life outside of your child’s sports.

Take some time when you are alone to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you see any of these signs. Admitting will be the first step; the second will be for you to restart the clock; today is a new game and it’s not too late for you to make youth sports what it should be for your child.

Janis Meredith, sports mom and coach’s wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks . Get her latest ebook in the Sportsparenting Survival Guide series, Volleyball Mom’s Survival Guide.

photo credit: OkiGator via photopin cc

via Business 2 Community http://www.business2community.com/sports/7-signs-sports-parent-snob-0724210?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-signs-sports-parent-snob