Listen to a fascinating and revealing interview with Wendy Bruce Martin, Olympian and mother of two athletic children as she talks about the most important lessons she has learned about being a sport parent.
Gymnastics Olympian Shares Sport Parent Lessons
May 11th, 2012 · acceptance, achievement, Audio - Parent Interview, conflicts, Uncategorized
→ No CommentsTags:conversations·kids in sports·Olympian·parent·sport-parent·youth sports
Talking the Walk Helps Walking the Talk
March 15th, 2012 · character, Coach category, coaching, emotions
An assistant coach of fifth- and sixth-grade teams at Springfield’s Catholic Youth Organization, is accused of attacking the coach of the winning team after a game. As the players were shaking hands following the game, the coach allegedly attempted [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:coach·coaching·positive coaching·respect·respect in sports·youth sports
Stirring the Heart of a Team
February 24th, 2012 · achievement, character, Coach category, coaching, confidence, emotions, Goals, inspiration
With the conclusion of the NFL season and hearing the post-Super Bowl interviews, the impact of a positive team spirit becomes so apparent once again. This intangible commodity that sounds so corny to some is so obviously present when you listen to players and coaches after a championship win. Listen to the common themes that emerge from the lips of the most hardened and mentally tough athletes in the world following a NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL championship: [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:coaching·commitment·inspiration·positive coaching·sport-parent·team sports·teamwork·youth sports
The Road to Recovery Could Be the Road to Discovery
January 11th, 2012 · acceptance, character, emotions, injury, inspiration
Today’s guest post is contributed by our new Growing Champions for Life team member, Donna Bollinger — athlete, speaker, coach, and parent of four athletic children.
In the last football game of the season Ben, my son, was striving to prove himself a worthy ball handler on a long pass play. With graceful speed he was down field ready for the ball which was heading just inside the sidelines. He reached high and far for the ball, willing it into his hands, only to be tackled mid-air and brought down hard on the well packed dirt of the sidelines. [Read more →]
→ 1 CommentTags:disappointment·recovery·sport injuries·sport-parent·youth sports
Coaching On-Purpose vs. Off-Purpose
November 22nd, 2011 · character, Coach category, coaching, self-discipline
The recent events at Penn State University cause me to reflect once again on the human struggle to live life on purpose. The apparent choices of Jerry Sandusky demonstrate what can happen when a coach strays from what he certainly knows about his true purpose as a coach. What is the purpose of a coach? [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:coach·coaching·great coaches·Penn State·youth sports
15 Ways to Fight the High Cost of Kids’ Sports
October 25th, 2011 · equipment, finances, sport family
Today’s guest post on sport family finances is by Janis Meredith from jbmthinks.com
We all want our kids to get exercise, make friends, and enjoy the fun of competition. But it can cost a lot to have kids in sports. Here’s how to creatively fight high costs while your child plays. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:family life·sport equipment·sport family·sport finances·sport-parent·team sports·youth sports
How to Practice with Your Child
October 10th, 2011 · achievement, coaching, encouragement, fun, hard work, Uncategorized
There are two ways to practice a sport with your child, and both approaches can end in disaster if the purpose is unclear. On the other hand, with an agreed-upon purpose, either approach can lead to satisfying experiences your child will talk about for years to come. Here are the two options and how to execute for maximum positive impact. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:coaching·learning·parent·positive coaching·positive parenting·skill development·sport-parent·youth sports
Practicing the Art of Non-Interference
September 14th, 2011 · acceptance, character, messages, respect, support, Uncategorized, unconditional love
in-ter-fere v. “to intrude in the affairs of others.” Where is the line separating parental guidance from interference? Here’s an example: As Trey begins to eat his food, Dad takes the fork out of his right hand and and places it in his left hand — repeatedly if necessary. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:controlling parents·interference·parenting·pushy parent·sport-parent·youth sports
When Your Child’s Timetable for Success Isn’t Working
August 13th, 2011 · achievement, character, confidence, Goals, hard work, inspiration, self-discipline
Dreams and goals serve as motivational fuel for anyone who has ever achieved elite athlete status in sports. Early in his Little League career our son Tyler set his sights on playing professional baseball. However the timetable for reaching those goals didn’t play out according to his plan. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:baseball·disappointment·going pro·positive parent·reaching goals·sport-parent·youth sports
Are You Playing “Let’s Make a Deal” with Your Child?
August 5th, 2011 · character, collaboration, conflicts, messages, self-discipline
“If you get your chores done you can go to practice today; and if not, you’re staying home.” It’s tempting, it’s expedient, and it appears to work in the short term. But are you sure you want to play that game? What’s wrong with “let’s make a deal”? [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags:family life·kids in sports·positive parent·sport family·sport-parent·sports·youth sports