My partner and I aren’t particularly into sports. Sure, we know which teams are in the Super Bowl, but that’s mainly because we’re there for the halftime show. As a family, we enjoy staying active—participating in local running events together—but our kids have leaned toward individual activities instead of team sports. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Our limited experience with team sports has sheltered us from the chaos typical of local recreational leagues and school teams. I’ve heard enough stories about chaotic practice schedules, overzealous parents on the sidelines, and kids struggling to balance sports with their studies to hesitate in pushing my children toward team sports. However, that changed last year when my daughter’s shyness began to affect her interactions with other girls in middle school.
As any parent knows, tweens can be tough to navigate, especially for a quiet, book-loving girl who isn’t particularly interested in boys. During discussions about how she could become more confident socially, she expressed a desire to try a team sport, believing it might help her connect with others. After some thought, I signed her up for a local basketball league, where I was thrilled to see her teammates accepting her warmly. She was enthusiastic about making new friends and, for a brief moment, I felt relieved.
But my excitement quickly turned to disappointment at our first game. I was taken aback by how willing some parents were to criticize young players on the court. Hearing parents make rude remarks about their children’s teammates was disheartening, and one mom’s snide comment about my daughter’s jersey number left me absolutely horrified.
Seriously, what is wrong with you, Sports Parents? Have you forgotten that your child was once a beginner, too? My daughter is 12 and still learning the fundamentals of basketball. It’s not easier for her than it was for your kid at five. In fact, it’s harder, as she faces a crowd of judgmental parents (like you) shouting negative comments from the sidelines. My brave daughter should not have to fight through this noise just to enjoy the game. If you can’t play kindly, I kindly ask you to leave.
Before making loud comments on a child’s performance, consider that they might be wrestling with anxiety. You have no idea what it took for that young player to step onto the court. If you feel the urge to critique during practice, why not lend a helping hand instead? If you’re skilled at basketball, how about sharing your expertise with the kids?
And when your star player is benched to allow another child a chance to play, please, for the love of sports, just be quiet. Your kid has already had their share of the limelight. Let the benchwarmer enjoy their moment after waiting patiently all season long. They’ve been rooting for your child from the sidelines and don’t need to hear you yelling, “Put my kid back in!” while trying to focus.
I understand that committing to a sports team takes dedication. After investing hours driving to practices and cheering from the sidelines, it’s natural to want to see your child succeed. But let’s remember, this is not the professional arena. It’s just a recreation league, middle school basketball—nothing monumental. Unless a talent scout shows up with a million-dollar contract for your kid, I’m going to need you to tone it down when critiquing my child—or any child, really, for not meeting your lofty expectations.
And let’s get real: your child is on the same team as mine, so the skill level is pretty comparable. If your kid were truly exceptional, wouldn’t they be on a premier team? Let’s be honest here. My daughter isn’t looking for an NBA career; she just wants to feel a little more comfortable fitting into her teenage skin during these awkward middle school years.
To all the Sports Parents out there, I’m learning in this process too. Thank you for demonstrating that I will never be part of Team Mean Parent because that team is just not for me.
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Summary
This piece addresses the behavior of some sports parents who criticize young athletes, emphasizing the importance of kindness and understanding in youth sports. The author shares her experience with her daughter’s journey in basketball, highlighting the challenges of being a beginner and the need for a supportive environment.
Keyphrase: sports parents criticism
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