I'm a band parent (for the second time)
That statement got me thinking.
I've never been to a band event where the parents got loud, obnoxious, angry, or were screaming at the band director.
I've never been to a band event where the parents 'directed' from the stands.
And yet, on more than one occasion I've seen sports parents try to ref and/or coach from the stands.
I've watched more than one news story where parents broke out in a brawl over a call in a game.
Where parents plotted to have members of a sporting team off'd because they were competition for their child.
Where parents were thrown out of the game for their conduct.
Oi! What ARE they thinking?
No, our band kids probably aren't going to become famous or move into an organization such as the NFL and make millions, but I think band parents can teach sports parents a thing or two about conduct.
As a band parent, there are some things that stand out to me, and I find them easy to remember
* It is NOT about me fulfilling dreams through my child
* It IS about teaching my child about their own personal strength
* It IS about helping my child learn how to work cooperatively with others
* It IS about having a good time while developing personal skills
* It IS about learning we can't always be the winner, but that we ARE a winner if we do our best and play hard to the end
* It IS about leading by example; showing my kids what respect looks like, sounds like and acts like
(Did I forget anything? Highlight the above list, add your thoughts to it, and Tweet it away!)
Our children's extracurricular activities are not about US, the parents, but IS about teaching our kids things that will be useful to them throughout the rest of their lives.
Things like finishing what you start, helping others in a cooperative manner, working on a team, building self strength, being the best you can be.
Where parents plotted to have members of a sporting team off'd because they were competition for their child.
Where parents were thrown out of the game for their conduct.
Oi! What ARE they thinking?
No, our band kids probably aren't going to become famous or move into an organization such as the NFL and make millions, but I think band parents can teach sports parents a thing or two about conduct.
As a band parent, there are some things that stand out to me, and I find them easy to remember
* It is NOT about me fulfilling dreams through my child
* It IS about teaching my child about their own personal strength
* It IS about helping my child learn how to work cooperatively with others
* It IS about having a good time while developing personal skills
* It IS about learning we can't always be the winner, but that we ARE a winner if we do our best and play hard to the end
* It IS about leading by example; showing my kids what respect looks like, sounds like and acts like
(Did I forget anything? Highlight the above list, add your thoughts to it, and Tweet it away!)
Our children's extracurricular activities are not about US, the parents, but IS about teaching our kids things that will be useful to them throughout the rest of their lives.
Things like finishing what you start, helping others in a cooperative manner, working on a team, building self strength, being the best you can be.
As a band parent our job is simple, and in my opinion, needs to be replicated by parents who have children involved in any type of extracurricular activity.
* Encourage encouragement comes in many forms, but never comes in anger, screaming, or getting into fisticuffs with other parents, referees or coaches
* Support supporting is about letting our kids know they did a good job. It sounds like encouragement, but looks like you are on their side. You cannot accomplish through anger, screaming at, or bullying coaches, refs, or other participants
* Believe believing means no matter how are child does in their activity we believe in your child's ability, their desires, their dreams and so much more. Believing does not mean you believe they will fulfill your dreams, your desires.
* Relax Relaxing and knowing this is supposed to be fun. Fun for you, fun for your child, and a fun way to introduce new people, ideas, thoughts, and skills into your child's life. Enjoy this time, it will not last long.
* Encourage encouragement comes in many forms, but never comes in anger, screaming, or getting into fisticuffs with other parents, referees or coaches
* Support supporting is about letting our kids know they did a good job. It sounds like encouragement, but looks like you are on their side. You cannot accomplish through anger, screaming at, or bullying coaches, refs, or other participants
* Believe believing means no matter how are child does in their activity we believe in your child's ability, their desires, their dreams and so much more. Believing does not mean you believe they will fulfill your dreams, your desires.
* Relax Relaxing and knowing this is supposed to be fun. Fun for you, fun for your child, and a fun way to introduce new people, ideas, thoughts, and skills into your child's life. Enjoy this time, it will not last long.
I believe in healthy competition, notice I said HEALTHY. There is nothing better than a bit of competition to get us and our children moving in a positive direction of wanting to improve upon what we already know or to learn something new!
It challenges us to strive to be the best we can be!
(WOW! That would make a great share on Facebook! Don't you think?)
Extracurricular activities can become a problem when parents lose sight of why they are there, what their role actually is, and what they want their child to take away from the experience.
Any time, as parents, we place our kids in activities, we need to be clear about what we believe our roles are.
It challenges us to strive to be the best we can be!
(WOW! That would make a great share on Facebook! Don't you think?)
Extracurricular activities can become a problem when parents lose sight of why they are there, what their role actually is, and what they want their child to take away from the experience.
Any time, as parents, we place our kids in activities, we need to be clear about what we believe our roles are.
Thoughts? Stories? Guidance? I would Love to hear them all! I love interacting with all of you!
Learning to Walk (and blog) by Faith,