Kid’s Martial Arts and 6 words…
Kid’s martial arts and what we can do to encourage
I am often looking at parenting sites and reading up on different things to compliment posts on this kid’s martial arts blog. I came across another blog post that I found extremely interesting which led me to this article that is applicable to any parent if their child is in a kid’s martial arts class or playing on a basketball team: What Makes A Nightmare Sports Parent — And What Makes A Great One.
Kid’s martial arts class, June 2013 Student of the month
Kid’s martial arts and parents
As a parent I know how hard it is sometimes to sit on the sidelines and watch what’s happening with your child whether it’s soccer, a piano recital, or a kid’s martial arts class. It’s difficult because you want to help, as a parent you want to guide them and instruct. When I first read the article the part that struck me and drew me into the article was this little piece and the 6 words:
Their overwhelming response: “I love to watch you play.”
It’s so simple and yet I had to think if I had ever said this to my daughter. I know that I will from here forward. I have also coached in the past and I have helped kids learn and see things about the sport that I coached. Personally, it’s difficult to separate the coach from the parent sometimes. In the article there are 5 descriptors of the “nightmare parent” and the “ideal sports parent.” These apply to any parent whether the kids are playing lacrosse or in a kid’s martial arts class. The 5 point they make for the “ideal sports parent” are:
- Cheer everybody on the team, not just your child
- Model appropriate behavior
- Know what is suitable to discuss with the coach
- Know your role
- Be a good listener and a great encourager
Paying attention in kid’s martial arts class
Kid’s martial arts: the kids
The main thing I took away from the article is that there are roles for everyone and my role as a parent is to support my child in her kid’s martial arts class. I have to realize that the coaches coach and it’s up to my daughter to behave herself in her kid’s martial class i.e. pay attention and practice. She has to learn to respect her coaches and her fellow classmates and that is a process that only she can experience in her kid’s martial arts class and beyond. As a parent, hopefully an “ideal sports parent,” it’s my job to be supportive in that journey and let her have the experience.
And I love watching my daughter play…