Sports help children prepare for life's challenges - DenverSingle Dads

Even at the very lowest recreational level, sports can expose a child to social interaction influencedprimarily by positive situations. Some not so positive issues in sports will confront your child, thoughif recognized and supported properly can help build character in your child. Exposure to sports atany level will open your child to issues which parallel life in general; these are the influences youwant for your child to help prepare them for every day life.  Â

Sports foster additional relationships and preferably a bond with others such as the coach andplayers. Your child will grow with new opportunities to model themselves, their behavior andcharacter. They will learn to intermingle with diverse groups. He/She will share common goals withpeers and begin to view himself/ herself with acceptance. They will learn and excel on differentlevels with their new sport. Once that seed of confidence is planted, your child will flourish. Theywill want to become better and better themselves. In addition to observing and understanding theirrole with others within the same age group, friendly competition within their team and againstteams will enhance their growth and subsequently their confidence.

One fundamental difference to your child, and perhaps your patience as a parent, is a great coach. Agreat coach is one who is not only knowledgeable in the sport, but also vested in your child's growthand development. Plenty of coaches have very good intentions. They may even be very social andfriendly. You want a coach who will understand and be compassionate about your child's needs inthe sport. He/She will put your child in a position to be successful. Eventually your child will reachor achieve club or competitive level sports. Hopefully they will be mature enough at this period intheir lives to get by without his/her coach's compassion. Here, the coach will push your child to betheir best, not the best. It's up to your child to be the best.

Coaching your own children, as an option,  will not only promote a venue (see "Take the time toshow your children they are important") for quality time, though allow your child to observe yourcharacteristics in an additional role. Your children need to see you in as many roles as possible forthem to model their personalities and character. Seeing you as a leader and taking care of othersneeds will be an endearing quality your child will want to model.

Either way, your child in sports will be exposed to manyups and downs. It's how you as the parent support andsubsequently show your child how to manage theseemotional curves, that will make the difference andcreate long-lasting benefits to your child. Regardless ofhow successful your child is, at times: he/she may feelas though they are not good enough,  their emotionswill rise and fall with wins vs. losses, they may even be hard on themselves when the gamesoutcome appears to rest on their shoulders, or he/she may want to quit due to adverse situationswhich will arise.

This is your opportunity to lay out the facts, help them weigh the situation objectively, and relay themessage that giving up on themselves or even quitting will only cheat them in the end. Life is filledwith ups and downs; the hidden message you provide is that by not giving up, your child willprogress through good practical experience and lessons that will carry into their adult life.Sports are a great opportunity for your child to experience life-paralleling issues and thereforeprepare them for life's challenges ahead.