HOW TO BE A GOOD SPORTS PARENT
Avoid Sideline Dust-Ups and Familial Resentment
Some kids are 100 percent committed to devoting their time and energy in pursuit of athletic excellence, but the vast majority are playing to exercise, have fun, and develop life skills.When you force your child to analyze every mistake they’ve made after a loss, sports stop being fun really fast. DON’T DWELL ON THE SCOREBOARD Sports are competitive, but your child’s value is not measured in wins and losses. If you can be process-focused, your child will learn that doing their best is more important than the result.That’s a lesson that resonates far beyond the field.
spectator. It’s okay to be enthusiastic and cheer on the squad, but don’t let your enthusiasm turn toxic.Yelling at the refs and bemoaning poor tactical decisions may be fine when it comes to the pros — they’re being paid, after all. However, there’s no place for this behavior in youth sports. The vast majority of coaches and referees are volunteering their time to keep leagues running. Don’t make it a nightmare for them. UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD’S LEVEL OF COMMITMENT If you’re the type of parent who spends the entire car ride home discussing your child’s performance, you’re probably pushing them a little too hard.
We’ve all heard stories and seen videos of parents acting out at their children’s sporting events. Moms and dads have broken hockey glass in a fury, gotten into fights with referees, and even attempted to poison their kids’ teammates. These examples are obviously extreme, but you’ve probably seen parents acting out.The line between passionate and oppressive can be fine, but if you follow these tips, you won’t ever have to worry about being that parent. REMEMBER WHO’S PLAYING Many overzealous parents suffer from vicarious thinking when it comes to youth sports.They see their children as extensions of themselves and project their desires and competitiveness onto young athletes.Take a step back and remember that it’s not you out there on the field. LET THE COACH AND REFEREE DO THEIR JOBS Unless you’re the coach of a child’s team, your role should be that of the encouraging
Wisdom FROM HARRY
SAUTÉED ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH WITH FETA
trail, and guess who we met.Those same people and their dogs were exiting the trail at the same place we were headed. Of course, when I see dogs, I want to meet and play with them.Well, the same dog that chased me on the other end gave chase again, and it caught me by surprise. He bit a gash in my front quarter.The wound was bad enough that it needed to be treated by a vet. Three weeks and $800 later, I’m doing fine now. Here’s my message to owners who have aggressive animals: Please take care of them by having them trained properly, or at least keep them on a leash when around other dogs. Don’t let your doggies grow up to be thugs. Harry
Well, this isn’t the happiest story to tell, but as an active and enthusiastic supporter of dog parks, I, as a dog, must vent my feelings about the past few weeks. My owner, Al, takes me to a place near our home that has a trail where people and dogs can walk together, enjoying nature in their customary ways. People get exercise and feel the satisfaction of treating their dogs well. Dogs get exercise and get to sniff all nature has to offer. It’s fun, healthy, and social for man and animal. That being said, while Al was walking and keeping his eyes on me, and I was sniffing everything I could, we approached a group of people and their dogs. Suddenly, one of their dogs started running and growling at me. He didn’t catch me, and his owners called him back. Well, it wasn’t over.Those people and their dogs proceeded away from us in the opposite direction.We continued on the
Zucchini and summer squash are arriving on grocery store shelves. Here is a great way to take these humble, delicious vegetables to the next level. This easy dish is perfect for early summer.
Ingredients
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1 zucchini
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2 teaspoons fresh thyme
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1 summer squash
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1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
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1/2 medium red onion
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize.
1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2
4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.
minutes), add zucchini and squash. Season with salt and
Inspired by thekitchn.com
www.aptorthosports.com • 3
Advance: To move forward; to make progress; to move ahead.
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