"The best advice I ever received about kids' sports was that moms meddling in the dugout interfere with one of the important rites-of-passage for boys: the joys, the pain and the triumph of baseball. For decades, the baseball diamond has been a place where boys grow up. They learn to deal with disappointment, bumps and bruises, dirt in their eyes, and, yes, even some teasing from their peers. They become a team player. They learn not to complain. They realize that meeting a challenge is the best reward of all.
Wow I played baseball from the time I was 4 through my senior year in High School and I don't think Ive ever heard the game explained so perfectly.Sounds like something that should of been in Sand Lot or Casey at the Bat.I was a catcher throughout my ball playing years, and the littlest guy out there on the field.Kids would round third base knowing they wouldn't beat the throw just to run me over, but I never dropped the ball.When I went down on I know my mom wanted to run down there and scoop me up, but she didn't. She let me get up, dust off my pants and get back in the game.Allot of parents run as fast as they can when their kids fall and skin their knees, pick them up and baby them.To me this is funny Ive got a 3 year old son of my own and 13 nieces and nephews and when they fall I usually just laugh,they think they did something funny and start laughing with me.Parents its OK to love and care for your children but seriously let them go out and get those scars.What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right.
I played peewee ice hockey when dad was stationed in Mass. Bumps and bruises were a common experience. My parents never ran to the ice. They would fall on it. Anyway the point being the children need to get B & B's just as much as they should win and lose. As far as snacks in the dugout. They need to pay attention and learn while watching. You can not do that stuffing your face and trying to clean your hands so you can hold the bat better or whatever. Food is for after the game.
Yeah! Finally someone agrees with me about treats and snacks at these kids' sporting events!!! When I had my son on teams I dreaded nothing more than the whole snack routine after every single practice (which meant we were on our way home for dinner) and after every single game. It never made sense to me...I thought, just bring a water bottle or some Powerade and play ball, that's what we're here for! And if you think your kid won't make it until dinner or if you have errands to run after practice then pack a snack in the car for them.
I was the REALLY bad parent when I suggested that we not do snacks for the practices during his last season of t-ball but I voiced my opinion strongly enough and was friends with a couple other moms so they went along with me and we just did a snack sign up for the games. That seemed much better, but I'd like to see them do away with it at games as well!!!
Thanks for pointing out and reminding us of the obvious reasons our children should be in sports...sometimes parents tend to get distracted my so many other things and forget the real purpose!!!
Thank you for sharing a very important lesson for our children and for the parents. I am one of those Moms who want everything for my son. Even snacks at the bowling alley during a two hour kindergarten outing on base in the morning. I am happy to say after reading your article, I will no longer be "that mom". My son and I both say Thank You Sarah!
