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Parent

Encouraged Discouraged
  • Treat your child the same irrespective of them winning or losing.
  • Remember that your child participates in the sport of calisthenics for their enjoyment not yours
  • Try to have fun when you are around your children at competitions. Well-directed humour can be a great de-stressor.
  • Look relaxed, calm and positive on the sidelines.
  • Make friends with other parents at competitions.
  • Get involved in appropriate ways if your child behaves in unacceptable ways during competitions.
  • Let the coach do the coaching.
  • Understand that children will benefit from a break sometimes and that involvement in other sports is ok.
  • Be there when your child performs poorly. Be an understanding listener rather than a critic, judge and/or fixer.
  • Be prepared to give your child some space so that he/she can grow and develop as an independent person.
  • Let your child know that your love for them is not associated with their sporting performances.
  • Communicates with your child and ask them how they are really feeling about their sport and about competing in particular.
  • Occasionally let your child compete without you being there and hovering over them.
  • Emphasise the good things your child has done in preparing for and during competion.
  • Saying "we're competing today". Instead say, "you're competing today". Give your child credit for accepting responsibility of performing.
  • Getting too pushy and believing that you are indispensable.
  • Living through your child's performances.
  • Turning away when your child performs.
  • Turning away when your child's behavior is unsportsmanlike.
  • Telling your child what she did wrong after a tough competition.
  • Making enemies with your child's opponents or family during a competition.
  • Making your child feel guilty by reminding them of all the time, money and sacrifices you are making for her sport.
  • Thinking of your child's sporting performances as an investment for which you expect a return.
  • Badgering, harassing or using sarcasm to motivate your child.
  • Comparing your child's performance to those of other children.
  • Forcing your child to go to training. If they are sick of training find out why and discuss it with them.