[SingleMama2B]

I was just reading a post about "Mommy Competition", and this is what I am not looking forward to..... Years ago, I coached a girls softball team in the township, and I NEVER had any problems with the girls on the team (I did not have a child then), BUT.... the parents where a WHOLE other issue!!! I had been playing Softball since I was 9 years old, County All-Stars, High School Varsity and then on to Adult Teams, so I knew the sport. The PARENTS where the worst!!! They would yell at the kids and me (the coach).

Well, I got talked into coaching my DD's Recreational Soccer Team this Spring (Coaches meeting on Sat.), and I am DREADING dealing with the parents. When I was growing up, both my Mom and Dad had coached my younger softball teams, and there was NEVER this crap.

Has anyone recently gone through this? I am hoping the rules of CONDUCT have become stricter for people on the sidelines. Way tooooo much pressure are put on the kids by Parents and some Coaches now. When I was growing up.... WE put the pressure on ourselves to do better and improve, not the parents!!!!

Would love to hear of any recent experiences....

[Provost21]

My sons t-ball coach actually talked with all the parents before hand. He explained his goal was for all the kids to play and most importantly, have fun. He wasnt coaching to win, just coaching to show the kids how much fun they can have together playing the game and whether they win or lose- at least they had fun trying. He also explained that every child was going to play everywhere in the field. Maybe you could do something like that so it wouldnt be so much stress for you. I hear ya though, some parents just scream at their kids and is all it does is make the child not even want to do it anymore.

Best of luck!

[SingleMama2B]

Hi Amy... I am hoping that at the coaches meeting, they will bring this up. I do want to talk with or make a flyer/letter to the parents so they too understand that this is for FUN for the Kids!!!

These teams are RECREATIONAL and NOT the traveling team...... the refs are high school kids volunteering their time... not keeping score, but I have been at my nephews soccer games at this age, and the parents where CRAZY!!!!

Oh, how I hope this works out!!!

[lakimnafite]

DH coached basketball and soccer. We always have the parent talk without the kids prior to the first practice. They get parent packets, sign up for snack rotation, talk about end of season celebration - and the rules of the game for the kids and the parents Have fun!!!

[LilyMoon]

In my experience with recreational sports and my children, we have had many a different scenerio based on the coach, the kids, and the parents on each individual team. Some expreiences have been fun and lighthearted others have had screaming parents on the court or field. I just try and tell my own children to have fun out there and do their best. I think it's our job to give our children the right message. There are rules in place for misconduct and expulsion during a game. It has happened a few times in my son's basketball games.

There is a book out now on just this issue that has been discussed on Good Morning America recently. It's called "Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads : Dealing with the Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Counselors Who Can Make--or Break--Your Child's Future" by Rosalind Wiseman, Elizabeth Rapoport, if you are interested in looking into this issue further.

LilyMoon

[SingleMama2B]

Wow.... I hope that we can do something similar!! That would truly make for a great season for sure. Could you tell me what made up the "PARENT PACKAGE"?

Maybe if they do not bring this up at the meeting tomorrow, I could make a suggestion or two.

The reason that I'm bothered by this, is that I have over the past 5 years watched my nephew play soccer, baseball and football and sitting in the stands with totally WACKO parents yelling like maniacs and the kids got more upset hearing their parents yelling!!

Thanks for any packet suggestions.....

[momm2be]

In my area there is a zero tolerancee pact. parents can be removed from the field if it is a problem. the game can be forfeited if a parent acts out.

now this has gone a little too far in some areas as i heard of a kids soccer team where the parents werrn't allowed to even positively cheer on a kid by name, had to use the team name.

[SingleMama2B]

Oh, I hope that is not the case... That is taking it way tooooo far! I just am hoping that the parents for this rec team are conscience about this if for fun, learning, and exercise!!!! It's not the olympics

I am looking forward to the coaches meeting to see...

[Kendal]

I am actually coaching my girls softball team. The season has just started so I will let you know how it goes. We do have one dad that appears he might be an issue, but we will see. I try really hard to point out to the parent that the girl are 6 and we are here for fun. I coached last year as well and over all it went really well. Have fun. I had a great time doing it last year.

[kretzklan]

I hope I'm not re-saying something (didn't get to read all responses yet) - but our oldest does play in the competitive leagues and I'm team manager for both his sports. I have had to totally crack down on parents and literally ask them to go sit in their car. I start if off in a joking manner each season (although now they know me) and I step in at the first "infraction" - I do have a little letter I include each season and I'll PM it to you...feel free to take and leave as you need it!

I'm all for healthy competition...I am a yelling parent on the sidelines - and I've been known to get mad at refs or coaches - but those moments are best kept to myself. That is what the parents need to understand!