Angel and Margeaux Jones Rising Stars Track Team
Coming up on Mothers Day I was thinking about just how much mom’s contribute to the success of our youth athletes. I am always looking for good tips to help our youth athletes and have a pleasant time at the meets and the season in general. Here are some fun and useful tips I have received from the great Track Mom’s across the country.
Anna Maryland
“My goal as a parent was to find a great match for my child and for me too. I didn’t want to spend tons of time with a person I nor my child couldn’t get along with No Matter How Good The Coach Is. I think that the elementary age kids really need a good match because they are forming self esteem and a sense of themselves.I figure if they get a good start they can grow in the sport instead of getting turned off by the coach and closing down interest in the sport”
TrackMom Lorraine
I think the best way to find out about a coach and a team is to observe team performance, parent involvement,and parent comments.No one situation is ever completely perfect but, I would try to get a general sense of the tone and temperament of the team and it’s parents. How does it fit with your expectations for your child’s development.How do you gage development for your child. How will the teams approach to training and family involvement fit your ideas and expectation. I always say “Teams are like churches there is one on every corner in a big city,find the one that fits your beliefs and schedule and location and Go.. Just go”. Kids love the interaction with other kids it’s very difficult to train a younger child alone even if you do have the expertise. As the parent you will always do what you think is best for your child . Make sure you consider as much as possible before you make a decision that can shape your child’s track experience. Once you do chose a team, reevaluate periodically by talking to your child and looking at your own feelings.those answers will tell you all you will need to know.
Tonya So Cal
“With two kids running on the same team and on doing a little better performance wise I have to always celebrate the effort and place less importance on the win .When I celebrate effort and improvement I can do it equally and they both feel good at the end of the meet. I try to keep the sibling rivalry to a minimum and let them know they always should support each other.”
Joyce Texas
At all cost avoid the competive parent trap.We spend so much time with team parents during the season and we watch each other’s kids weekly. When I first got on the team I really wanted my child to win every race.When I learned more about track I realized that it isn’t practical to have such a high expectation for my child or any for that matter. I was starting to feel competition against the parents too. “My child’s a 4.0 ,my child on the deans list” etc. I know that is crazy but I am writing this because I know I am not the only one. I lost the joy of watching my child compete and have fun. Luckily, I realized before I became an ugly sports parent. Remember, we are there to support the kids not our egos.”
As we approach Mother’s Day I want to celebrate the great Mom’s out there that blend breakfast shakes at 6am, pack lunches, carry blankets,umbrellas and food into the stadium. Taking the kids to practice. Sacrificing a vacation with grown-ups to travel to a hot, less than tropical local and sit in the sun surrounded by thousands of kids to help your child realize a goal of a Junior Olympic Medal.Most of all you bring good cheer and lots of love win or lose week after week.
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