Are You a Good Sport?

Sometimes it seems more appropriate to ask this question to the parents because it’s them who need a lesson in good sportsmanship. There are parents who feel disappointed when their kids lose because they expect too much from them. While it’s alright to encourage them and give support, pause and ask yourself… are you doing this for your kid or for yourself?

Here, read on some tips on how you should and shouldn’t act around your child.

DO: Praise the effort and not the outcome. Congratulate your child and his teammate on finishing their craft or giving the game their all.

DON’T: Ask if he won the game or created the prettiest drawing. INstead, say: “Did you have fun today?” or “What did you learn today?” Making it into a competition could add pressure and sour him on the activity.

DO: Let your child quit While it’s true that kids need to learn how to follow through, you shouldn’t force your child to keep doing something that make him unhappy. If he’s in tears before every soccer match, consider pulling him out.

DON’T get too wrapped in it. If you find yourself criticizing your child’s performance, remove yourself for a day or two and let your spouse take over.

Tags: sportsmanship

Both comments and pings are currently closed.