From the article: Youth Sports Profile: Basketball
When your child joins a sports team for the first time, it's a learning experience for both of you. What have you discovered, the hard way, as a basketball mom? What advice would you give to parents of kids starting out? Share your tips on everything from post-game pep talks to dealing with crummy coaches, disappointing games, or travel tourneys. What do you love—or hate—most about being a basketball mom? Share Your Tip
Don't be one dimensional
- Girls have a hard enough time with all the other pressures. My daughter is shorter but she makes opponents pay from hard work, speed and intelligence. GO support your daughter and teach her to fight like you would a son. Too many parents that have both a boy and girl often support the boys at a higher level. What do you think this does for their self esteem? This has been a pet peeve of mine for years! So take your daughter outside of team practice and work with her and watch her grow and excel in both athletic ability and confidence. Teach her the commitment that life requires from so many of us! Go play the great sport of basketball! Good Luck, John Mason
- —Guest Coach Fatdaddy
Girl Wants to Have Fun
- If your daughter wants to follow her friends to try outs you have to let her...but explain that team sports sometimes cut kids who aren't the best or bench them. My shorter-than-average daughter can hold her own in the pool but we had to prepare her for some disappointments with b-ball.
- —Guest Missy Mommy
