Parents - how to talk to kids on game day/race day

Now I know parents mean well and are trying to do what’s best for their child or what they believe is the right thing but it’s always important to keep learning and understanding that things change, and it is ok to be wrong or changing for the benefit of your kids and also to keep a healthy family relationship.

What we say to the kids DOES have a strong impact on them so simple words like don’t, can’t, try harder, stop being a sook, toughen up, be a man or anything else along those lines will greatly impact the kid’s headspace and put them in a negative mind frame as well as creating extra pressure on themselves.

 We need to be supportive and give them kids room to breathe and express themselves. We need to remember that it’s a kid’s sport and they are learning so they need to be given a supportive, strong environment for them to grow so they can perform.

We need to use words like:

You can do this, do what you feel comfortable doing today if you are scared, breathe, you are strong, you got this and I am proud of you.

We need to remember they are kids, they want comfort, security and love even as adults that’s all we want so make sure you take a deep breath and reinforce the positive thoughts for your kids.