Food for Thought for the Parents Out There

A departure from my regular "style" posting on this blog.....

Are You a Bad Sports Parent?Photo credit: International Gymnast Magazine

One of the things I heard expressed by some parents who came to SMGC from other gyms, is how refreshing it was for them to be able to observe their children without separation from them by physical barriers. Well, as in many things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to that.

Another great article, incidentally, is Parenting the Average Athlete. Here's an excerpt:

Teams will always be comprised of athletes who are different. Teams will always have “stars”, “athletes with a little less of everything” and “athletes with even less of everything.” That is the way it has been, is now and will be in the future. The kids had better learn about it and get used to it.

They are going to be faced with the same situation in EVERY aspect of their life where there is a group. Middle school, high school, college, sports, business, relationships, everything. We can’t all be stars in everything we do. To learn that you are talented in some things and that others are more talented in other areas is a huge life lesson.

Another life lesson is to not avoid the areas that you are not a “super star” in. I see too many situations where an athlete is pulled out when they show average ability rather than “star” ability. I also see many people with the attitude that if their child isn’t a star then it is a negative situation. I don’t believe that.

I think we are building a well rounded young adult who should work hard in areas that may not be their “star” areas. I also think that these kids are being cheated when they aren’t being told that maybe others are better than they are. There is nothing wrong with that. These kids are resilient and they can take the truth. We don’t build confidence in ourselves by having to be the “star” in everything we do.

A team is great because of a lot of people, not just the “stars.”

And if the kids are going to give up because things aren’t “easy” for them, wow.

-Tom Burgdorf