Diary of an Athlete's Mom

Having a child who loves being an athlete and who enjoys almost anything to do with sports is such a blessing, yet is sometimes a challenge. Sports can teach us so many life skills and lessons such as how to work together toward a common goal, enjoy individual and team success, manage stress and accept
disappointment. Through sports, one also learns skills such as time management, discipline, respect, how to work hard toward an individual and team goal, toughness, cooperation, sportsmanship, how to make friends, problem-solving skills and character. Sports also help us develop healthy habits of having fun while exercising. Sports can be so exciting or so heart breaking, just as life can be.

As a parent, here are some suggestions.

• Watch as many of your children’s sporting events as you are able. I will never regret the hundreds of hours I spent watching my son practice and play in games over the years, as well as shooting baskets with him in the driveway or catching the football. I do regret the big game that I missed in 7th grade because I was working, as the team managed to win a close game against their archrival. (My son still mentions the excitement of that game but I was not there.)
• Do not worry about how neat your house or yard is, if all the errands are finished, or if a fancy dinner is prepared. Make the sports activities a priority, for your own sake and the sake of your children. They will remember if their parents were at their game, not if the floor was spotless, the furniture dusted or they ate a 3-course dinner.
• Listen to your children share their excitement about their sport activities, even if you do not understand it all. When my son and husband talk about basketball strategy, I do not understand some of it but I am always learning, asking questions and showing interest, because they love it so much. Guess what? The more I know, the more I love it too, the strategy of it all and because it is their passion.
• As a parent, when you are upset with a coach or referee, keep it to yourself. My son once told me that when parents yell criticisms during the game, it is embarrassing and distracting to the players. As the wife of a coach it is so hard on the coach when parents are negative, angry or critical. I have heard there is a shortage of coaches and referees these days, mainly due to how parents act toward them.
• Remember that coaches and referees are doing their best, no one is perfect, and if you think you could do a better job, then do it yourself. You will see it is not easy.

Soon I will be so sad that my son’s organized sports journey will be over, as he is a senior in high school. I will miss the hours in the car with him driving to practice and games when he was younger, the highs and lows of the games, watching him and his team succeed and make mistakes, navigating disappointments and all of our adventures together over the years. I hope my son always knows and treasures that his parents are his #1 fans, in sports and as he ventures through this journey of life.