By Marika Lindholm — 2017
Be mindful of a young athlete’s psychological well-being.
Read on www.psychologytoday.com
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How one teen is using her tragic injury to take down the warrior culture in sports.
There is a fine line between parental support and pushiness.
Experts say the more parents involve themselves in their kids’ sporting events, including acting out on sidelines, the less enjoyable and more results-driven is the child’s athletic experience.
One of the more difficult situations you may face as a parent is dealing with a coach who is a bully. Unlike the typical "schoolyard bullies," this type of bully is more dangerous and is harder to recognize.1 Consequently, many parents don't even realize that the coach is bullying their child.
Covert emotional abuse (CEA) is a tightly woven web meant to ensnare and control the victim. It can lead to other forms of abuse. Signs of CEA in sports include a perpetrator creating a sense of specialness in the victim, and cultivating self-doubt and dependency.
Active kids need "high-octane" fuel. In addition to calories for daily activities, health, brainpower and growth, child athletes need energy for sports. To give their performance a boost, feed these young athletes power foods packed with nutrients.
Osaka’s mental health challenges are nothing new in her isolating sport. What is new is the acceptance she’ll face—and the paths back—if she takes a prolonged break.
Through the size of her platform, however, and her decision to choose well-being over pursuit of a Grand Slam title, Osaka offers the promise of bringing mental health awareness—both inside and outside of sports—to an entirely new level.
A couple of months of the year, encourage them to do something else. If they play soccer, they could switch off to tennis.
It’s wonderful that your child wants to play at a higher level, but you need to be sure they understand what all you’re signing up for if they make the team.