This week has been an interesting one around here--we took our son to a Spring Training baseball game where he was given a ball by one of the catchers in the bull pen, and then a few days later our little guy started a tumbling class at the Y. He is playing catch with Daddy at the park one minute, then he is walking like a crab and doing forward rolls on a big wedge-shaped mat the next. He is loving every minute of it, but all of this means something very substantial to me: I am about to be the Mommy of a kid involved in "organized" sports.
And I'm not sure what to do.
I've seen some ugly behavior from parents at sporting events for little ones as well as for older players, and I don't want to be those people. I read an article in a parents' magazine a few months ago that suggested the role of the parent at practices and games should be to simply be there--even if that means sitting in the stands and reading a novel until it's time to go home. The theory was that the child playing is more concerned about the impression he's making on his coaches and team mates and as a parent I would be giving him less pressure to perform by not paying attention and then asking how it went afterward. Obviously I'm not going to unleash my 2 year old onto the t-ball field without supervising him, but it's an interesting idea to file away for the Little League years.
So, I'm asking for your input fellow Motley Mommies. I know many of you have already plunged onto the "Team Mommy" stage--what do you do? What do you feel your role is during sporting events? Do you read a book, make phone calls, help coach, or call fouls from the stands? Any thoughts? I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Have a blessed Palm Sunday!
And I'm not sure what to do.
I've seen some ugly behavior from parents at sporting events for little ones as well as for older players, and I don't want to be those people. I read an article in a parents' magazine a few months ago that suggested the role of the parent at practices and games should be to simply be there--even if that means sitting in the stands and reading a novel until it's time to go home. The theory was that the child playing is more concerned about the impression he's making on his coaches and team mates and as a parent I would be giving him less pressure to perform by not paying attention and then asking how it went afterward. Obviously I'm not going to unleash my 2 year old onto the t-ball field without supervising him, but it's an interesting idea to file away for the Little League years.
So, I'm asking for your input fellow Motley Mommies. I know many of you have already plunged onto the "Team Mommy" stage--what do you do? What do you feel your role is during sporting events? Do you read a book, make phone calls, help coach, or call fouls from the stands? Any thoughts? I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Have a blessed Palm Sunday!
7 comments:
Ethan is just doing tae kwon do, which is not a team sport, but during his class I just sit there. I watch or read or play on my phone or talk to people. I actually asked his instructor if it would be best if I sat there and shut up and he said, "Yes." So that's what I do. When we get to Little League, I'll probably cheer, but mainly just observe. I'm not the coach, nor do I want to be.
Cute pic, by the way.
I do get into cheering for BOTH teams at the preschool soccer games. Occassionally I find myself yelling things to my son like "Stay with the ball!" "Pass to your teammate!" or "Get up! Get up! Don't just sit there when you fall down!"...and I realize that my shouting is probably NOT adding anything positive to the game. So then I shut up.
They allow 2yr olds in the tumbling class at the Y?
He's 2 1/2, and when I asked about it they said that was fine. There is another girl there who is a couple weeks younger than he is.
I agree Liz, I don't want to be the coach. I think I will just ask the people in charge what my role should be.
Donna, I would be saying the same things. After all, isn't that what people do when they watch sports? It's just different when it's your own child!
My husband has always played basketball or coached basketball, and for a while, I was a very active fan. At some point, I realized how crazy my antics were and made a vow to stay out of the game. I am hoping to do the same for my son, but who knows if a mama bear can really stay out of things...
Well since I have girls up to this point I have been involoved in gymnastics and dance. In both "Sports" the girls just go out into the gym and I watch from a little window. Works great! However I have learned while watching other parents that I just want my girls to have fun. I don't care if they are goint to be professional gymnists/dancers. I just want them to have fun. There seems to me, to be way to much pressure on kids to be the "best" at what they are doing. I am all for encouraging them to get better, but "better" for THEM not, to be the best....kwim? Sports are just sports, fun activies that teach teamwork, discipline, and give them some exerise. It's my biggest pet peeve when I see parents pushing there kids at something that should really just be for fun. Expecially at this age.
Well put, Lindsay. There's so much more going on at those events than the sport itself!
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