From the article: Youth Sports Profile: Kids' Soccer
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 soccer mom? What advice would you give to parents of kids starting out? Share your advice on everything from half-time snacks to post-game pep talks to dealing with crummy coaches or disappointing games. What do you love—or hate—about being a soccer mom? Share Your Tip
The End of Soccer
- I truly enjoyed going to each and every soccer game my stepdaughter went to. Her father was an assistant coach, which was a great thing for the two of them to do together. What was hard for me was when she decided not to participate! I had to understand that her tastes were changing. I'm looking forward to when she develops other interests - she's even considering volleyball, the only sport I was ever good at! I have learned to support her, no matter what she chooses, as long as she stays active.
- —Guest Anne W.
The Transition for Parents Can Be Hard
- In the leagues by us, when the kids are little, they don't keep score, try to abide by basic rules, but for the most part it's a matter of dropping the ball and letting them go. Now that my son is older, it's becoming more competitive. No more cheering when the other team scores a goal as I learned earlier this season! In any case, I let my husband talk to him about how to improve his game and how to handle certain situations. My job is to be supportive, no matter what the outcome and to ask the important question: "Did you have fun?" I think the hardest part is dealing with the parents who are more competitive than the kids at times. It's hard to enjoy the game when someone is constantly shouting -- no matter where you are, there is always at least one who knows better than the coach. Again, I just try to smile and be supportive.
- —PreschoolerParenting
It's Supposed to be Fun
- The earliest years of soccer made me laugh the hardest. "Swarmball" is what it should be more appropriately called--eight little five-year-olds (four on each side) chasing the ball up and down the field. Don't coach from the sidelines. Let the coach do that. Applaud when either side makes a goal. Nothing frosts me more than treating games in the early years as serious competition. Root for your kid. Root for the other kids, too.
- —Guest Patois
