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Dear Coach…. Sincerely, Every Parent


For the Love of the Game

youth_sports_love_of_the_game_best_of_youth_sportsDear Coach,
Here is my child, a player for your team. This is difficult for me because I am entrusting you with a child I love more than life itself.It seems silly that a volunteer with 8 games and 6 practices can shape my child’s life, but it’s true. So coach, there are a few things I wanted you to know and that I hoped you would share with my child.

Teach my child to win gracefully, but more importantly teach my child to lose with even greater dignity.

Know that my child takes what you say to heart so please choose your words carefully and tread lightly.

School is hard for my child and life hasn’t been so easy lately. This sport is the one thing that makes my child smile.

Sitting on the sidelines stinks, we both know this. I realize that my child is not your best player but please, coach, notice the effort. It’s possible that my child could surprise us all someday.

My child can be a pest, sometimes whiny, sometimes out of control. You have my permission to teach my child the consequences of inappropriate actions.

If my child gets hurt in the game, please look for me in the stands, I am the one whose heart has stopped beating.

Please help me teach my child the kind of sportsmanship that will carry far beyond what happens on a playing field.
As a parent, watching my child can be excruciating, I want to protect, but as a spectator I’ve been rendered helpless. My child’s successes and failures are out there for everyone to see. Help me to keep my perspective.

Most of all please teach my child that this is only a game, that there will be plenty more. Ask my child to work hard, to give their best effort and especially to have fun.

Through your words and actions show my child what it means to “love the game”.

Thank you coach, for all you do, your time, patience and influence… It will last a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Every Parent


About LB Living Better

Lisa Bates has a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, Certification to teach Behavioral Sciences and a degree in Business Administration. From school administrator and non-profit executive, to teacher, coach, counselor and mom, Lisa has extensive experience, knowledge and training working with children from toddlers to teenagers. Currently, Lisa owns and operates LB Living Better an organizational and educational services business. Lisa has just released her first book, Barbies in the Horse Bin, Living Better with Organized Children and she is a seasoned, energizing, humorous, workshop presenter with extensive experience. As a mother of three teenagers including twin boys, Lisa maintains her sanity by writing, travelling and playing with her dogs. Read more about Lisa Bates at www.lblivingbetter.com or contact her at lisabates@lblivingbetter.com.

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