We have a lot of people at home who have kids practicing sports of all ages, from 5 to 18 years old. What can we tell those parents who have athletes and non-athletes? How do they stay balanced and healthy? And what is the importance of parents in supporting the mental health in athletes, particularly children and teens?
The Role of Parents in Youth Sports
The real challenge, we think, for the parents is to disengage more. You know, you want to push your children towards something; you want to live vicariously through them. Youth sports benefits are numerous, and sports are a great conduit for children to grow and develop, become confident individuals, and contributing members of a team. They also learn what that's about and to be able to take coaching, instruction, feedback, and consequences from someone else that's not a parent. That's something they're going to need in life when they acquire a boss.
Finding the Right Coach
So, you know, my first piece of advice is: go find, if you want to get really involved, make sure that your son or daughter has a great coach and don't let them work with someone who's not thoroughly invested in seeing them be successful. And that's first and foremost. Then just trust that coach and try to pull away and just be a parent. Because too often that overbearing parent really does a lot of harm to their child's development, their ability to flourish and take advantage of whatever their God-given natural talents may be.
Encouraging Diverse Athletic Experiences
So that's the main thing. When it comes to their actual development as an athlete, the best thing they can do is let them find their passion, play as many sports as they can, and pursue the joy of it.
Now, you may disagree about giving your child a space to try all possible sports. We know we can understand your point, and there's a lot of anxiety with parents concerning this. They say, "But if my kid doesn't play soccer year-round, tennis year-round,..etc how is he going to compete? This concern is especially prevalent among parents of youth soccer players who worry about their children falling behind.
The Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation
What can we say to parents who think this way? It's legitimate, they want to see their children succeed, do well, and have those opportunities, maybe opportunities that they didn't have. They want more for their kids, and again, that's how you get into this arrogant mode. Give your child enough time and space to test and choose the sports he or she prefers. Teens playing sports will be better athletes if they have a variety of skills acquired through playing multiple sports, regardless of gender.
Example of Complementary Sports
For example, if your child looks like a volleyball player, think about the dynamics of that sport. Explosive and powerful movements, jumping off the ground, landing hundreds of times, diving to the ground - it's a kind of overhead throw. Perfect complement for that? Water polo. Surprisingly! Get your child off the playground and into the water. This training will now affect your child's upper and lower body. Instead of developing swing contact speed, he resists it because he holds the ball in his hands. This is great for your child's shoulder. When he gets out of water polo and returns to playing volleyball, his legs will be refreshed, and they will be strong in all the areas that were weak from being hit on the ground due to the movements required to tread water, swim and move around. Now he no longer suffers from the constant abuse that leads to stress fractures.
This is just one example. But what if your child plays playground sports, such as soccer? What other sports might be useful for soccer? A lot of the combinations you'll see in youth soccer players are basketball and sports. They both complement young footballers and improve their dribbling skills.
Staying Connected with Coaches
As mentioned earlier, as a parent, you need to stay in touch with your child's coach to get an update on his development and skills. Especially for teenagers playing sports, tennis or any other sport, these guys are mature men. They're technically adults, but their bodies are still changing. Some of them are getting taller, they are definitely adding muscle to their bodies, and their bones are becoming denser. This full physical maturity continues in the transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood.
Supporting Mental Health in Athletes
Now that we've discussed the good things about soccer, swimming, volleyball and all sports from the physical aspect and how it can contribute to creating a better athlete, we'll relate it to the positive impact parents have in children's lives and how their support can boost their children's overall mental health.
Tips for Supporting Your Child's Mental Wellness
Encourage Emotional Expression
Encourage your child to express his feelings, whether it's happiness, sadness, anger, or fear. It's important for them to know that their emotions are valid and that they have a safe space to talk about them. Listen to them without judgment and help them find healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions.
Ensure Adequate Sleep
Sleep plays a critical role in our mental and physical health. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and encourage your child to wind down before bed. This could include reading a book, taking a bath, or practicing some relaxation techniques.
Limit Screen Time
While technology has its benefits, excessive screen time can have a negative impact on mental health. Encourage your child to engage in other activities such as reading, playing board games, or spending time with family and friends.
Prioritize Family Time
Spending quality time together can help strengthen family bonds and create a sense of security and belonging for children. Plan activities that everyone can enjoy, and make sure to put aside distractions such as phones and work.
Remember, mental wellness is not just about avoiding problems, but also building resilience and coping skills. Incorporating principles from youth sports psychology can be particularly beneficial in this regard. By following these steps, you can help support your child's mental wellness and set them up for a healthier and happier future.
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