Men’s Health helps you understand how to coach your child with tips from Rick Wolff and Joel Fish.
Liesa Goins writes (excerpt):
SKIP POSTGAME ANALYSIS
When the thrill or agony of the game is still fresh, he doesn’t need you harping on him. . . .
PLAY UP THE POSITIVE
Find something specific . . . and tell him it was worth the price of admission. “Kids want to believe parents feel proud of them,” Fish says.
SANDWICH CRITICISM
If you want him to stop being a ball hog, wait until the next practice and say, “You’re a great ball handler [praise], but if you could dish off when you’re double-teamed [constructive criticism], you’d be unstoppable [praise with incentive].”
ASK HIS OPINION
If he stops wanting to go to practice or starts picking grass in the outfield, there could be a lot of reasons. . . . Say, “Help me understand,” Fish suggests. . . .
WATCH YOURSELF
. . . Your kid will notice this stuff [parental misbehavior at the game], and it’ll suck out all the fun he thought he was having. All you need to do is cheer.