4th Grader’s Letter to Crazy Parents

My boys aren’t playing a winter sport, and I have to say, I don’t miss it. Not because I don’t want to drive them to practice or even that I don’t enjoy the games. I have come to appreciate our time in the car together, I value the physical activity for them, and there is a lot about the games I really do enjoy. I’m not an athlete but I’ve always been a sports fan. I don’t miss crazy parents. I don’t miss the third party embarrassment I feel when a parent is more invested in a game and the outcome than their child. I don’t miss the sometimes palpable tension between parents of the two teams. I agree with the young author of the letter below. We parents can ruin everything. Let’s remember it isn’t about us. Let’s remember sports are supposed to be fun. Let’s remember it is the lesson of teamwork and sportsmanship which will mold their character, not the numbers on the scoreboard. Let’s remember they are children, all of them, no matter what color the jersey.

Offside is a Facebook page, started by a referee, Brian Barlow, to encourage better sideline sportsmanship. He offered $100 for every video of crazy parents screaming at referees at children’s sporting events. He also posted this heartbreaking and poignant letter from a 4th grader.

READ: What Screaming at the Ref Doesn’t Say About You

Learn more about Offside and its mission here:

 


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Author: Karen Latimer

Dr. Latimer is a Family Physician and Wellness & Parenting Coach. She works with parents who want to feel more confident when helping their children and coaches young adults to help them better navigate college life and transitions. Contact her at drkarenlatimer@gmail.com to learn more. She is the author of two Audible Originals, Take Back the House -- Raising Happy Parents and Worry Less, Parent Better. She is also the co-founder of the app that makes your life easier and puts social in a healthier place -- List'm.

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