Last weekend, I spent nearly 12 hours watching my son participate in four baseball games. Yes, 12 hours — which included several 45-minute drives to the field, rising at the break of dawn, and nervously chewing my nails. I also consumed a lot of coffee and questioned my life choices. Waking up before sunrise just to watch 10-year-olds strike out and chase after balls can be quite the experience!
Sometimes, I wonder if we sports parents have lost our minds a little bit. Not every family is into organized sports, but for us, it’s a great fit. We’re all baseball enthusiasts, whether it’s playing ourselves or cheering on the pros, so it’s become a fun family tradition.
My husband and I take a pretty relaxed stance on sports; they don’t dictate our lives. We emphasize the valuable lessons organized sports teach our kids: teamwork, confidence, dedication, and perseverance. For the most part, organized sports have been a positive experience for us — until now.
Listen closely, fellow sports parents. I have a little secret: you need to take a chill pill.
Honestly, I’m not sacrificing my weekends for my son to snag a college scholarship or make it to the big leagues. Most of us aren’t racing from school to soccer practice, tossing snacks to our kids in the backseat because they’re on the “winning team.” We aren’t sacrificing our time (and sleep!) for swim meets or hockey games because we think our kids will grow up to be the next Simone Biles or Derek Jeter. We do all of this for one simple reason — it brings our kids joy, and that joy brings us happiness.
But here’s the kicker: you’re draining the joy right out of it. Seriously, calm down before you ruin it for everyone, including your children.
You seem nice enough when we chat and cheer for each other’s kids. But then, suddenly, you’re shouting at the umpire because he called a strike when you’re convinced it was a ball. It’s embarrassing, really.
Most of our experiences have been positive. My sons’ coaches are supportive and generous with their time. Many parents share my laid-back approach, which makes your intense behavior stand out even more. You start off as a rational parent, but then you’re tossing your hat in frustration or laughing at a kid who missed a catch. You go from being a fan to a fanatic, and it’s unsettling.
You tell me, with the sweetest smile, that it’s hard to enjoy the game because your son’s teammates aren’t performing well. You laugh about the kid who’s picking daisies in the outfield and express your frustration that they’re ruining your son’s chances of playing his best. Meanwhile, I’m thinking, what the heck? These are just kids!
I sometimes wonder if I’m missing something. You talk about competition with such enthusiasm, and your son is a good athlete, so maybe I should push my kids harder? The answer is a resounding NO.
I’ve swum competitively for 13 years, including at a Big 10 university. I understand hard work, dedication, and competition. But this? This is madness. The reality is that the odds of your son making it to the NBA or MLB are slim to none. Your daughter is probably not going to stand on an Olympic podium in 2032. If you’re investing so much time and money into your child’s sports career for a financial return, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Would it be nice if my son excelled in sports? Sure, but that’s not my hope for him. I want him to be a kind, good person who helps others and understands the value of effort without tying his self-worth to winning. Above all, I want him to find joy in whatever he does — whether that’s hitting a home run or picking a beautiful bouquet of daisies.
And let’s not forget the most crucial lesson of all: DON’T BE A JERK.
So, sports parents, take it down a notch. These are kids, and it’s just a game. Keep your cool for the sake of your child and everyone else around you.
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Summary:
In a humorous take on the obsessive nature of some sports parents, the author reflects on the joy of youth sports and the importance of keeping perspective. Despite the long hours and early mornings, the essence of organized sports should be about fun and teamwork rather than pressure and competition. The message is clear: sports are meant for kids to enjoy, so let’s keep it light-hearted.
Keyphrase: Chill Out Sports Parents
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