don’t be the crazy parents! As a baseball mom of two boys I am considering calling up a TV network to see about starting a new reality show. Move over Dance Moms, here comes Baseball Moms. Just kidding, although it would not surprise me.

My oldest son is finishing up his 2nd season of little league and my middle son is finishing his 1st. We waited to start them until they were both ready, we knew it was going to be a huge commitment on all of our parts and we wanted them to be 100% sure. We don’t want to be those over the top pushy parents when it comes to sports, if they want to play great, if they don’t fine. Our job is to be supportive. All our boys knew was sports at the YMCA, which I think it great when they are 3-5, but it was obvious that our boys were ready for the next step. I’m not sure who is enjoying it more, the kids, the grandparents, or my husband and me!

Is it competitive? Yes! Are there crazy parents/coaches? YES! Is it time consuming? Very, but it is all 100% worth it!!!

 

 

For my husband and I the most important things for our boys is to learn the game the right way {no matter what sport they are playing}, learn to be team players & good sports, and respect for the game, their teammates, and coaches. We have been very blessed with amazing coaches for our oldest son, they could not have been better! My Hubs coaches G’s (5 yr old) team, so of course I think he is amazing and hot :). All of the coaches that my boys have had are coaching for the right reasons, not because they are living vicariously through the kids. I have seen those coaches/parents though and it makes me so sad.

We all want our kids to win, but it is so important for them to learn how to lose and lose gracefully at that. I think it is easy for parents to get caught up in the moments of the game and let it linger afterwards. After a game (win or lose) it is natural to want to tell your child what they did great with and what they can improve on for next time. We were guilty of that, we never got upset with them but would encourage to do better, even telling them focus, keep your eye on the ball, next time try and run faster, etc.

Then we came across this article on The Post Game and it completely changed how we act after a game. Now when a game is over all we do is give them huge hugs and tell them how proud we are of them. On the way home we talk about all kinds of random things….everything but baseball. Then the next time we practice we can casually throw in what they need to work on and we do it without making them think they did anything wrong or didn’t do something good enough.

It breaks my heart when I see parents freaking out on their kids because of how a game went. It is just that…a game and the whole point is to have fun and learn, a lot of parents have lost sight of that and no one benefits. As a parent you should step back and let the coach be the coach and you just be the kids #1 fan!

I am excited for my boys to try new sports over the years, but right now I cannot imagine anything being better than little boys and baseball! {Both boys teams are playing in the end of season championship games this week, so wish us luck :)}

Are you/your spouse guilty of being “that” parent or were your parents that way with you? How do you handle those tough sports situations?

 

3 COMMENTS

  1. I’m totally not there yet, but I will for sure be “that parent.”  I am so competitive it’s sick. 

    •  LOL Brandon is the most competitive person I know and he did so great coaching the lil guys this season, I think it brought him down a little bit…or at least he hides it well 🙂
      You can be “that parent” and not be the psycho one…you should come with me to a game, you would be shocked at how some parents act and I know you would not be one of them! You have class.

  2. All right, Ashlee! It sounds like you have found good balance and perspective early on for your boys’ Little League lives. Our three boys, ages 12, 10, and 7, have each played Cal Ripken since age 4. Their baby sister looks forward to the day she can swing the bat, too. You hit the nail on the head…it is easy for even the most congenial, well meanIng parent to get caught up in the over-the-top competitive culture the ball park sometimes produces. Especially during the all star season. Thanks for the little piece of sanity!

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