The pressure on parents today is more intense than ever. Most parents are stressed beyond belief as they try to do everything at once to help their kids become the best in all aspects of life, more so in sports. But how do you measure success as a parent?

A general definition by Coach John Wooden of UCLA says success is the peace of mind emanating from self-satisfaction in the knowledge you did the best as per your capability. As a parent, this peace of mind comes from the knowledge that you did the best for your kids. It doesn’t mean paying more or seeing your kid coming home with more trophies.

If you are a sporting parent, here are some simple tips to help you increase your child’s chances of success in their sport:

  1. Be A Role Model – Your behavior during games should reflect professionalism. Don’t taunt other kids or second-guess the coach.
  2. Enjoy The Play While Seeing The Future – It is true you want your kid to go to the next level but always enjoy the now. The coach is there to worry about the future. Your first duty is to enjoy your kid’s growth today.
  3. Encourage Risk Taking – Sports are about fun and competition. Encourage your child to get better in the next game through positive reinforcement and motivation.
  4. Celebrate The Effort Always – The young athlete might lose today but make sure you look at the competitor in them, not the winner always. A competitor never loses; they get better every day.
  5. Let the Athlete Grow – With time, the young athletes will need to grow on their own. Give them support by providing support while letting them go. Take a step back and let the coaches and other players provide the necessary pressure.
  6. Take the Coach as a Friend – Never antagonize the coach because your kid will also deride them thus ruining their training. This is a professional and you need to work closely with them while still respecting boundaries.
  7. Don’t Overlook Academics – Books play an important role in life. Whether your kid turns pro or not, education should not be a backup plan but the foundation for the athlete to build a life upon.
  8. Have Fun! – “I love watching you play”. These magical words will motivate the young athlete immensely.

There you have it; if you have done your best, your kid will notice and you will have fun.