For The Parents

Dan Shaughnessy's column in Saturday's Boston Globe should be required reading for every youth soccer parent in the country - not to mention for every youth baseball parent, youth swimming parent, every . . . you get the idea.

Shaughnessy, one of the country's best sportswriters in my book, reminds parents ". . . that it’s about the kids. It’s not about the parents."  Amen.  The column should be on the website of every youth team in the country and every coach should print it and give a hard copy to every parent on his or her team just in case they didn't look at the website.

Shaughnessy summarizes: "Try not to care about the game(s) more than your child cares."  He then offers eight reminders that are valid in every sport, in club or school games, at every age group and in every season.  And concludes: "Embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and competition. Frame these moments in your cerebral cloud and enjoy the games." 

If you have a kid - or grandkid - playing on any team in any sport, click on the link at the beginning and read the column.  It will make you a better fan and your kids will appreciate it.