http://ResponsibleSports.comIt is more important for you to help your child process what happens in a game than for you to be a "back-seat coach." Asking questions and listening will cause your child to want to talk about the game. Giving advice, which often is taken as criticism, can cause a child to clam up5/12/2008If you feel the need to intervene with your child’s coach, write down what you want to happen and what you are going to say before approaching the coach. Then listen to what the coach has to say!5/5/2008If your child has a minor issue with a coach, such as the position he or she plays on the field, consider encouraging your child to approach the coach directly, rather than you intervening.4/28/2008If you are angry with your child’s coach after a practice or game, observe a “cooling off” period. Force yourself to wait at least 24 hours to approach the coach. With a cooler head, you’ll be better able to deal with the problem.4/21/2008As soon as you know who your child’s coach is going to be, introduce yourself, let him or her know you want to help your child have the best possible experience and offer to assist the coach in any way you are able. Meeting the coach early and establishing a positive relationship will make conversation easier if a problem arises during the season.4/14/2008Recognize how committed your children’s coaches are. They spend many, many hours preparing beyond the hours spent at practices and games. Remember that they’re not doing it for the pay!4/7/2008Courage isn’t the absence of fear – it’s doing what is right in spite of the fear. Encourage your children to see scary situations as opportunities to develop courage.3/31/2008Conduct yourself by a code, which Positive Coaching Alliance calls “Honoring the Game.” To remember components of this code, remind yourself and your children that Honoring the Game means respecting the sport’s ROOTS, where ROOTS stands for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self.3/24/2008Coaching your own child can offer some of life's greatest moments, though it requires a delicate balance between coaching and parenting. Make it clear to your child when you are in coach "mode." Be sensitive to favoring or penalizing your child.3/17/2008Teach your child to shake opponents’ hands and to thank coaches and officials after every game, win or lose. And model it by doing the same yourself.3/10/2008In teaching your child to Honor the Game, look for examples from pro or college sports to illustrate your points.3/3/2008When your child’s Responsible Coach redefines "winner" through a mastery approach to coaching, reinforce the coach’s approach. Instead of focusing on the scoreboard, remember the ELM Tree of Mastery for Effort, Learning and Mistakes are OK (because mistakes help us learn, but fear of mistakes helps us fail).2/25/2008