Sports Girls Play encourages parents to leave their children at sports practice and go run errands. I completely agree, not to mention that for $60 the child gets several months of exercise and you get a babysitter. What a bargain.
As a coach I have always recommended that parents NOT watch every single practice . . . I often compare sitting and watching sports practices to sitting in your child’s classroom all day everyday – would you really do it? The practice field, gym, pool, studio, etc are also your child’s classroom. Parents watching every practice are distracting to the kids – and it is very difficult for you as a parent not to get wrapped up in the moment to moment actions of your child. When you watch just at competitions or watch for one part of practice every few weeks or so, you can see the learning that has occurred – you can’t see it when you are involved in it daily.
Visit Sports Girls Play for more great reasons to run errands or get your own exercise.
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3 comments ↓
Thanks for this info – I had always felt a little guilty when I needed to run to the store while the kids were at gymnastics, or even when I read or listened to my iPod instead of cheering. Now I know that I am not “ruining my child forever” by not watching every minute.
Susie the Geek’s last blog post..Darcy Reviews “The Youngest Templar”
I agree – it’s nice to have permission to do something else.
Tracee – thanks so much for the link love!
Susie – do not feel one bit guilty!! It is healthy for your child to learn to take instruction, socialize and make mistakes without worrying about whether you are watching or approve or not. If you have got your child enrolled in a good program (which most are), then should feel no guilt in leaving your child and doing your own thing.
Have a great week!!
Char’s last blog post..2009 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Goes to Shootout
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