IMPORTANT TIPS FOR SOCCER PARENTS!

Nine Things Parents Don't Get About Kids and Sports

During car rides to games or practice, kids don't want you to tell them how to do this or that.
("I am not stupid," or "I know how to play the sport I play," are typical responses.)

Kids can get psyched for a game without parental help.

It's your duty as a parent to sit quietly and watch your kids do wonderful things.
(Kids get bummed out when you miss games or yak it up too much with friends in the stands.)

If you don't know what you're talking about, kids don't want you to talk.
(Typical comments: " Parents think they know the rules, but they don't." "My mom asks annoying questions.'' And ''I hate when my mom tells me to do things even when she doesn't know the first thing about sports.")

Even if you do know what you're talking about, kids don't want you to talk.
("I hate when parents tell us to do the exact opposite of what the coaches say," "If your parent isn't the coach, he or she shouldn't try to be one.")

Kids wish parents would practice what you preach about sportsmanship.
("My dad always wants me to he a 'good sport,' but a lot of the time he blames the loss on the ref." "Arguing with the refs is not only embarrassing, but it takes up time." )

Kids often can't hear a parent yelling when they're concentrating on the game.
(Sometimes, they can. Either way, they don't like it. "Parents yell advice a player doesn't hear because they're so into playing the game." I feel embarrassed when my parents yell so loud that the whole town can hear," and "They yell and scream and look like dorks.")

After they lose, kids don't want to be told it doesn't matter.
(Typical reactions: ""I hate when we get knocked out of the playoffs and parents say, 'You'll get them next time!" "When parents try to cheer you up after a loss, all they do is remind you of the score." )

After they lose, kids don't want to be told that it does matter.
("Parents take losses harder than we do". You win some, you lose some, no big deal! "Get over it!")

Kids just want to have fun.
"Parents just don't get this" kids say.