We're coming up on 1/2 way through the season, and teams are all in full swing.
Consider this a great time to do a mid-season check in. Are we having fun yet?
Funnily enough, what might seem like "fun" and "harmless" enthusiasm may be perceived way differently by the fans around you, the refs, players and maybe even your own kids. Consider the crazy hockey parent profiles commonly making news (click through to a recent article in the Globe & Mail).
Why does hockey turn parents into rampaging maniacs?Whatever the reasons for what drives us parents beyond the edge, consider the outcomes. In many sports, a rising drop out rate for kids start by the early teen years, those years when we as parents would mostly agree, we really want our kids engaged in sports and other positive outlets. Yet we may very well be complicit in their decision to drop out. As the article points out, the long car ride home, critiquing every play, critiquing refs, critiquing coaches...
We all take the Parent version of Respect in Sport. Maybe it is a good time to do a check up on our own scoreboard. How well are
we playing the game? And if you aren't sure, and you are really brave... Just ask the parents who are sitting around you at the rink, maybe your coaches, or better still... Ask your child! If we can give feedback, surely we can also receive it.
Remember to ENJOY the rest of season. Make the second half the best part of your child's hockey season.