| As a sports mom, mom and stepmom to four | | | | don’t intervene, my kids could get hurt or |
| young athletes, age 8 to 19, one of my biggest | | | | lose confidence. |
| challenges is understanding how to deal with | | | | Knowing when and when not to intervene is a |
| coaches. | | | | really tough decision for a sports parent. I |
| I’ve come in contact with every kind of | | | | don’t want the coach to walk away with the |
| coach imaginable. For example, I’ve wondered | | | | idea that I think my child deserves special |
| how to deal with the coach who favors his own | | | | treatment. But at the same time, I want to |
| child. | | | | protect my child as much as possible. |
| I’ve also struggled with coaches who, on the | | | | When should you intervene and have a talk with |
| other end of the spectrum, can’t live without | | | | the coach? Here are some scenarios: |
| my young athlete—and insist on having my | | | | • When your child and the team are not |
| child play even when he’s sick or injured! | | | | having any fun |
| These coaches have favored my young athlete in | | | | • When your child complains about how |
| ways that upset other sports parents and | | | | negative or mean the coach is |
| players. | | | | • When your child is forced to practice and |
| In addition, I’ve had to cope with coaches | | | | play when injured |
| who are sometimes grouchy, have bad days, or | | | | • When the coach threatens to bench your |
| dish out negative feedback in ways that hurt | | | | child for making mistakes, which may undermine |
| young athletes’ feelings. I even had to decide | | | | your child’s confidence and increase his or her |
| what to do about a coach who was abusive. | | | | fear of failing. |
| Understanding how to deal with these coaches is | | | | If you decide to talk to your child’s coach |
| not easy as a sports parent. | | | | about one of the above issues, make sure you |
| I worry that if I choose to speak up, I may | | | | pick the right moment. Don’t do it at half-time |
| interfere in a way that creates friction between | | | | of the regional play-offs or in the middle of |
| my kids and their coaches. On the other hand, if I | | | | practice! |