On Being a Hockey / Soccer / Basketball / Swimming..... Mom

When it comes to watching my kids play sports, I am a yeller.

Yep, you read it correctly I yell.

Now let's be clear about things, I don't chastise, castigate or belittle when I yell.  I only yell encouragement. Whether it's my child or his teammates I yell.  Things like: "Great job so-and-so!..... Way to go so-and-so!  Go so-and-so Go!!"  I will never, EVER put down a child when I'm cheering.

That being said, whether it's from my background as an athlete, or my many years of coaching, I yell.... A LOT.

In addition to this, when it comes to Aidan playing sports I have very high expectations.  The kid is a natural athlete.  Ask anyone who comes in contact with him and they typically say: "Whoa... that kid's really good."

I'm not bragging.  (well maybe I am a little bit....)

The problem is that because Aidan is naturally athletic, we expect him to always try his best, work his hardest and be the superstar.

Did I mention that he's only 8 1/2?

After every game or practise we're always dissecting how he played, how his team did, what he needs to work on, what he can do better.....  you get the idea.  When we watch sports on TV it's a constant commentary on: "Aidan, did you see that?  Look at how they did that!  Aidan, you should try to do that more."

When he's in the back taking shots on net, we are always telling him that he should be working on this, that or the other thing to get better.

And as much as it kills me to admit this, I think I'm slowly sucking all the joy out of sports for that poor child.

Which is why, as of this moment, I'm stopping.  It may just kill me, but dammit... it needs to be done.  I will no longer constantly. yell. during his games.  I will no longer blather on and on and on about how he played.  I will no longer discuss what he needs to work on or how he should play.  We will watch games on TV with Mommy on mute.

What I will do is always tell him how much I love him, and how proud I am of him.  Because really, that's all that matters, and those are the two most important things for my 8 1/2 year old to hear.