Winning Connections Newsletter – August, 2018

– Is Your Child a Gritty Learner
– Bonus Video Feature: “Let’s Do It Anyway!”

If I told you that you just won the “parent lotto” and could “gift” your child athlete with any one quality, what do you think it would be? Make sure to choose wisely! But before you do, remember that you want this gift to equip them to face the many challenges that life will bring – well beyond school and sports.

– The Stories We Tell Ourselves
– Bonus Video Feature: Coach Swagger More Than Swing

Being coachable is a huge advantage for a young athlete, but it doesn’t always come naturally. Parents can play a role in shaping a coachable spirit in their children, and it sets them up for learning throughout life. Here are some three tips for the journey.

The U.S. Center for Safe Sport has created a SafeSport Parent educational materials that provide important training about the nature of misconduct in sport and gives parents actionable information to better protect athletes.

By Michelle Wells
Families that invest their time and energy in sports are probably already convinced of the value that kids receive from sports participation. However, the challenges of juggling several full schedules are still overwhelming at best and can exact a hefty toll on the family dynamics.

Most adults find conflict uncomfortable, and so do their children. But what if you could teach your children a variety of strategies for handling conflict more constructively. This video covers the options, and which ones to use at in various circumstances.

Selflessness doesn’t come easily in our society. It requires us to turn our attention away from our own needs, against the urging of our egos and desire for self-gratification.

By David Benzel
From those experiences I have compiled the five most common temptations parents face as they navigate the deceptively dangerous waters of youth sports. I say “deceptively” dangerous because when you leave the harbor on your first Little League or Pop Warner journey, you cannot possibly see the emotional rough seas or the potential mutiny that lies ahead.