Pushy Parents

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Pushy Parents

Parents are essential in the organisation of junior sport. They are seen as coaches, managers, on committees, helping out around the club or ferrying their children to and from training and the organised games.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 63% of children play at least one organised sport after school.To assist with the running of these activities, parents are relied upon to help in many ways. On the whole, most parents do a fantastic job.

But what about the Pushy Parents?

Kids play sport to be with their friends and to have fun, whilst learning many skills in the process. Winning or losing is not important to them at this stage. They should be encouraged to do their best and have fun. They don’t need abusive parents yelling out from the sidelines whilst they are playing.

The negative behaviour of pushy parents has a detrimental effect on their children.

History has proven that many children give up sport as a result of pushy parents constantly yelling criticism or abuse from the sidelines or other similar embarrassing behaviour.

Abusive or pushy parents have resulted in many coaches now insisting that parents sign a ‘good behaviour’ oath at the start of the season as well as attending sessions where they outline their philospohy, expectations of parents and the hopes for the season ahead.

Children need to learn to respect their peers and the decisions made by their coach and umpires. Parents are expected to display positive attitudes and encouraging behaviour in order for their children to learn these behaviours.
Pushy parents need to sit back and let the coaches do their jobs. They also need to stand aside t let the club/ coach sort out any problems encountered by their child.

No matter what sport the child chooses, it is not a place where they should be subjected to abuse, harrassment or discrimination.

Pushy Parents……
….take note.

* Support and encourage your child.
* Encourage respect for the coach, the game, fellow team members, the opposition and  the  referrees.
* Remember that junior sport is supposed to be fun and learning to be part of a team.
* Get involved in the running of the club.
* Give your child some space so they can work out their own problems.
* Enjoy yourself at the sporting function by making friends with other parents.
* Leave the coaches to do their job.

Also – if you are under the impression that your interference is for the protection of your child, step back. It is most likely that you are doing untold damage and causing embarrassment which could end in your child giving up any sporting activities permanently.

If you have had experience with pushy parents, write a comment and share.