My son is an athlete: what can I do to help him?

Fathers and mothers are the people who struggle the most to achieve the well-being of their children in all facets of their lives. When a child decides to become actively involved in a sport Adequate parental involvement is extremely important, as their attitude can influence the young athlete both positively and negatively.

However... which is the attitude that parents should adopt to facilitate the progress of your children when it comes to that sport? We will see it next.

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Types of fathers and mothers according to coaches

From the point of view of the coaches there are 5 types of parents (depending on the attitude):

1. Critical parents

Those who only pay attention and support the child when she achieves good results sports

2. Pseudo-coaching parents

Parents who have been practitioners and tend to take on the role of coach as their own. Usually constantly provide technical feedback although they contradict those of the coach.

3. Disinterested parents

Those who are totally unaware of the child's activity.

4. Overprotective parents

Parents who identify excessively with the child and, therefore, they experience their sensations and experiences in the first person. It is common to overprotect children when something goes wrong.

5. Collaborating parents

Those parents who they do not know the most fundamental rules but they still want to play a relevant role in making decisions. Usually they think they are free enough to give their opinion when they do not have the necessary knowledge that is required.

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The role of parents in the sports development of their children

In this way, to avoid becoming one of these types of parents and end up causing uncomfortable and stressful situations, which lately observed in some sports, it is advisable to advise parents on how to contribute in a positive way to promote sport as an educational medium from which the little ones can benefit.

Next, a series of aspects are proposed to take into account to promote a positive attitude of parents in relation to the sport that their children practice.

1. Trust the coach

It may seem obvious but many parents do not trust the person who has the necessary technical requirements to teach your children and empower them in relation to sport. You have to believe more in the professionalism of the coaches.

2. Recognize the value, importance and time of the coach

The coach is the person who invests the most time in the players with the purpose of strengthening them technically and personally in the sport. For this reason it is important to take into account the effort spent, although the results do not conform to what would be desired.

3. Find the right occasion for communication with the coach

Establishing contact with the coach is necessary for many parents, as it is the way to comment on aspects related to their children and the sport. Parents should try to find the right time to adjust postures in an atmosphere of calm and serenity.

4. Value effort over result

It is not good for parents to focus their gratitude towards the sport based on the result since obtaining concrete results should not be the main objective of the sporting activity. The important thing is to value the effort that your children make to prosper in the sport and you should always show support when the results are negative.

5. Show interest

Children have to see their parents interested in the sport they play. When they perceive that their parents ask them, try to attend competitions and get involved, the positive reinforcement is higher and motivation increases.

6. Do not pressure your child beyond his / her possibilities

Each person faces sports activity differently. There are children with more abilities than others, but that is not why we should stop encouraging them. The proper thing is be aware of the possibilities our children have and never demand more than what one is capable of giving.

7. Accept successes and failures

Parents should be supporting their children in both good times and bad. For this reason do not show a negative attitude towards failure, since children will give it more importance than it has. Faced with a negative result or a goal not achieved, we must encourage progress.

8. Admit that your child can freely make mistakes

Parents must be aware that their children can make mistakes and that they are not worse than others. It is important that they learn to accept their children's mistakes and not feel embarrassed by them.

9. Recognize that your child plays sports for their own benefit and fun

Parents have to be able to accept that their children do sport because they like it and enjoy it, especially when they are not under excessive pressure. Therefore, it is convenient to be attentive at all times to the vision that the athlete has of the sport that he performs.

10. Help your child decide for himself

Children should never be pressured to make the decision that their parents want, but rather it is appropriate to encourage them to make their own will.

11. Remember that they are models

Parents should not forget that, at all times, they are references for their children. Although many may not believe it, children are constantly attentive to the behaviors and decisions of their parents and, in the long run, many act like them. Thus the values ​​that are transmitted are very important and, among them, those of fair play and camaraderie should stand out.