FAMILY ZONE
SPORTS PARENTING IN TEN SENTENCES
By : Anne Josephson
1 Word :
Hi .
Greet your child when they get in the car with “ Hi ” before you ask about practice , the score of the game or homework .
2 Words : Have fun .
In all likelihood you ’ ve heard this statistic : 70 % of kids quit sports before they turn 13 for the primary reason that they are not having fun . Encourage and remind your kids to have fun .
3 Words : Tell me more .
Before forming an opinion or dispensing advice , ask for more information from your child . This will force them to tell more of the story and give you more information as to what is actually happening .
4 Words : Good job . Keep working .
Doc Rivers , head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers and parent of a NBA player suggests these four words . Rivers notes that as parents we are often tempted to say more and analyze their kids performance , but saying only this might be what ’ s best for the kid who simply needs support .
5 Words : What ’ s new in your world ?
Ask your kids general questions that are not about gymnastics . Even if the reply is “ nothing ” it gives you the opportunity to share something about your day .
6 Words : I Love to watch you play !
Best six words ever .
7 Words : So what do you think about that ?
You know your opinion , so before you jump to tell your child what it is , ask what his / her opinion is . You are not only learning more about what your child thinks but are also helping develop critical thinking skills .
8 Words : Is there something I can do to help ?
Before you give a solution or an action plan , ask if that is what the child really wants . Sometimes all the child wants to do is blow off some steam , and we jump directly to “ solving ” the problem .
You are more important to me than 9 Words : your achievements .
You may be thinking that of course this is true . But remind your child of it . In the absence of hearing this from you , your children might think that one of the reasons you love them is because of what they do , not because of who they are .
No matter what , I ’ m glad that 10 Words : I am your parent .
To be loved wholly and completely for exactly who we are , flaws and all , is the greatest gift one person can give another . Please give that gift to your child .
Find more articles from Anne at Jag Gym Blog : www . annejosephson . wordpress . com
About Anne Josephson
. Anne Josephson is President and CEO of the Josephson Academy of Gymnastics ( JAG ). She opened JAG in September 2004 and currently JAG serves more than 2,000 kids per week ,
. making it among the largest gyms in the United States .
Anne is a former gymnast , coach , and judge , and a parent of four daughters who have participated in gymnastics . This gives her a unique perspective on the sport as she understands gymnastics from all angles .
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. Anne holds a B . A . from Barnard College , Columbia University and a M . S . Ed . in Educational Psychology from USC , where her focus was on how children and adolescents learn best .
. Anne is a frequent speaker at USA Gymnastics Congresses and a contributor to Technique magazine . Anne blogs about JAG Gym , operating a small business , college admissions and parenting .