Youth Sports: (eBook, ePUB)

A Parent's Guide

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Youth Sports: A Parent's Guide

This book provides information designed to encourage and equip parents of young athletes as they navigate the complex culture of today's youth sports. Through the use of anecdotes, relevant information and research this guide provides insight, as well as tools for navigating the challenges of youth sports parenting. As a result, parents are empowered to confidently enjoy their child's experience, and participate appropriately in cooperation with their young athlete. The quality of the journey is enhanced, and the stage is set for maximum benefit for the athlete.

A successful sports experience is defined as having lasting value for the young athlete beyond participation. Any athlete, regardless of physical ability can be successful by this standard. The benefits of this success include relationship building, social skills, leadership skills, character development, and an enjoyment of lifelong sports activity, including the value of physical fitness.

This book is not a guide for the parent seeking to facilitate their child reaching the pinnacle of athletic performance. It is a guide for parents in pursuit of maximizing youth sports experiences for their child which not only include athletic development, but life skills as well.

The book addresses common questions such as when to begin organized sports, which sports best fit your child, the consideration of specialization versus sampling multiple sports, and the social impact surrounding sports participation. For context, there is a concise chronological history of youth sports, marking its evolution. Information on topics such as community sports leagues vs school leagues, school team selections (aka "cuts"), and winning and losing is provided. There is guidance about relating to and communicating with coaches.

It is written from the author's unique perspective developed through the multiple roles experienced: as a young athlete through professional school, as a parent of young athletes--all of whom participated at the highest levels-- as a coach for young athletes, and as an athletic administrator for a PreK-6 school.

Central to this guide is the value of the fundamental partnership between parent, athlete, and coach along the sports journey. A healthy collaboration can significantly facilitate navigation through the complexities along the way.

The role of parenting is key to managing a successful youth sports experience. Parents value and facilitate the goal of sustained, meaningful relationships throughout the journey. They maintain focus on the ultimate priority, that their children will reap lifelong rewards beyond championships and trophies. They understand that joy should be part of this journey as well.

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Author Biography Prior to retirement, I was employed as the athletic director of a pre-K through 6th grade independent school in Nashville, TN. The school has a strong emphasis on Christian values and academics with an enrollment of over 500 students. This was the culminating experience I had in youth sports and provided a profoundly different perspective as I worked to establish an athletic program there. My earliest experiences in youth sports began when I was a young middle-schooler playing basketball for my school team. I played throughout high school, where I received All-City Honors. In professional school at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing, I continued to play basketball in the Cotton States League. I earned a B.S. in Nursing which enabled me to view youth sports through the filter of children's health, growth and development. My science background qualified me to teach in the classroom, which I did after my nursing career. That experience gave me the opportunity to develop rapport with young middle schoolers. I was also hired to teach physical education classes, requiring a more focused approach on the fitness of students, K-6th grade. My husband, a physician, was an All-American shortstop at Lipscomb University. We had three athletically gifted children who were successful in their respective sports. Our oldest daughter was an exceptional gymnast, a state champion and record holder who later cheered on a nationally ranked University of Alabama cheer squad. Our second daughter won several individual state titles in track and field during high school, and was recruited to be a heptathlete at Princeton University. Our youngest son played multiple sports until high school when he discovered a love for football. He excelled as a tight end at the University of Virginia, becoming All ACC, the Top Scholar-Athlete of the Conference, and captain of his team. He was drafted into the NFL in 2008 to play with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. It is unclear to me whether they had success because of, or in spite of, their parenting. In retrospect, I see more clearly things that worked, and things that did not. Sports has been a major focus throughout my life. My perspective as an athlete grew throughout the years as I continued playing in college. Parenting three young athletes throughout their careers taught me countless lessons and broadened my perspective. However, seeing through the eyes of coach, teacher and athletic director rounded out my unique perspective. I have been encouraged by what I have learned and am excited to share it. Writing this book was the first item on my bucket list upon retirement. I never dreamed my sports journey would lead me to all the places I've been. The challenges and rewards in a youth sports journey, navigated with the right perspectives, can have enduring value in your child's life.