Parents' Role In Children’s Sports

Introduction

The first year I was old enough to play organized baseball I tried out for a Little League team. Though I didn’t make the team, I was blessed with a splendid alternative. The city organized a league with four regional teams all coached by two brothers. We played three mornings every week and there were NO watching parents. In this low-pressure environment we boys learned how to play baseball. Many of us became the stars of our high school teams.

Fast forward to 2014. I have a friend who referees for high school summer-league basketball. Though it is supposed to be a low-key experience for the kids with minimal coaching, my friend explains that the games are witnessed by 20-30 adults (mostly parents) who are constantly shouting to the players: “Block out on the rebound!” “Watch your passes!” “Don’t let him have the baseline!” “Com’n—hustle out there!”

What has happened? Many parents today are tempted to have their “fingers in every mud pie their children make.” They do this for reasons that feel solid and unselfish, desperately wanting what’s best for their kids. But kids don’t need parents' hectic, exhausting, non-stop supervision of their lives. Parents, you are coaches, not players. Your children have to run the race.

There are two dangers for the helping parent: over-involvement or under-involvement. Though in past years I mostly encouraged parents to increase their involvement, today I encourage some parents to decrease their involvement. In the next few blogs I want to look at what are appropriate—and at times, inappropriate, ways to help your athletic kids.

Loving God, Part 6

Modeling Godly Passions

The Ark of the Covenant, the gold covered chest that housed the tablets of the Law and the presence of God, was the most holy item in Israel’s worship. Not long after the Philistines captured it, David restored it to his people. During the ark’s homecoming celebration, David danced before the Lord with all his might, ... leaping and dancing before the Lord. He was so unrestrained that his wife, Michal, was embarrassed and called him a vulgar fellow! But David was resolute: I will celebrate before the Lord. And I will become even more undignified than this.

Where do people today become so “undignified”? While attending a high school football game, one observer heard “deep-throated yells, violent exhortations, giddy screams, hoarse whoops. The people in the stands lost all sight of who they were and what they were supposed to be like, all dignity and restraint thrown aside because of these high school boys in front of them, their boys, their heroes.” Doesn’t that sound like David? They “lost all sight of who they were and what they were supposed to be like, all dignity and restraint thrown aside.”

We must think clearly and creatively about how we can model a whole-hearted love for God to our children. What do you model when you attend a worship service—are you reluctant to shout an “Amen!” or raise your hands in praise? You may decline, claiming you aren’t a demonstrative person. But didn’t I see you throw your arms in the air and hear you scream, “Touchdown!!” during last week’s NFL game?!

Though my boys saw my passion for the sportsworld, they also saw my passion for the spiritual world. During our family’s Easter celebrations we played David Meece’s resurrection song, Today Is the Day, repeatedly and loudly. That energetic song became a staple of our Easter traditions as we sang and marched around the house rejoicing in our risen Savior. May God increase our freedom to love Him with our whole selves.