7 Mistakes of Parents That Make Their Children Hate Sports Forever

Some children hate sports. The reasons may be different:

• high school demands and chronic fatigue;

• the feeling of inferiority when peers do better in various competitions or sports activities;

• physical fragility;

• busy families, etc.

Sometimes the motive is hidden even in the actions of the parents. The intentions and desires of the parents are always the best, starting from the interest of the child. Unfortunately, some methods or actions work contrary to expectations. Here are the 7 most common mistakes parents make when it comes to sports:

Force your child to play a certain kind of sport

Often the parent chooses the sport for the child according to his age and physical training. And that's right. But first of all, the parent must make sure that the desire to practice this sport is shared by the child. If the child does not like sports and is forced to practice them, he will most likely hate this sport for life.

The child needs to be involved in decisions. Of course, the parent can also resort to some methodical tricks. For example, if you have decided to enroll your child in the football team, try to prepare the child for it.

For a few days before announcing the proposal, try to arouse his interest in this type of sport: tell your child about successful footballers, try to play football together, watch matches together. Believe me, in a short time the child himself will propose to you to enroll him in the school football team.

Choose the wrong sports team

Just because your little one has asked you to join the football team doesn't mean you have to subscribe to the first club nearby. Make sure you've found the right coach (here's how to choose the right coach). Also, make sure the sports team includes children your child's age.

If there are older children on the team, your little one may not be as successful as his or her classmates. The child does not know that there are different age groups, that they are more developed because they are older. He will think he is weak, powerless, not good enough - this will lead to the formation of complexes, frustrations, and disinterest, or perhaps hatred, towards sports.

If you have found the right coach and team, the next step is to work with the coach to help the child integrate into the team.

If the child is marginalized, is not compatible with peers, does not have enough emotional motivation, he may not want to practice this type of sport. Work with the parents of the other children. Little ones usually take on the pattern of adult behavior.

Turns sports into a MANDATORY part of the daily routine

If you tell your child that he/she needs to do something, his / her involuntary reaction will be reversed. He will protest even though he does not know why.

Don't force it, but look for reasons to motivate it. If the sports activity will be a fun one, it will offer the possibility of socializing, developing skills, and self-affirmation, the child will want to not miss any day of training.

From the outset, it does not clearly explain the commitments

Before enrolling in a sports club, many parents do not tell their children what their conditions and obligations are. If the child is not sure that he can make a decision in this regard, that he does not have enough information, he will try to protest to assert his personality.

We recommend that, before enrolling your child in a sports club, tell them how long they will have to go to training, what the daily schedule will be, etc. For example, tell him that he has to try out for 8 months in the volleyball department and, if he doesn't like it, he can try another kind of sport next year.

After the first week, the child may say that he no longer wants to go to training. And this is normal because any beginning is difficult, stressful and many do not resist these emotions. But if the child knows that after 8 months he will be able to decide what to do next, he will set his goal to resist and respond to the challenge. During this time the child will notice his progress and may love the sport forever.

Focus on RESULT, not on the process

Parents often focus on the outcome - scores, competition prizes, etc., but not on the picture as a whole. Some talented children in the field of performance sports are encouraged by their parents to excel, to get scholarships due to sports results, to become sports champions, etc. However, the mistake is when the parent focuses only on the result by putting pressure and forgetting the reason why, in the beginning, they gave their child to do sports - social, emotional, and physical development.

Motivate by comparison

It is normal for children to measure their strength from an early age, especially in various competitions and sports competitions. Parents are often more interested in the results of the competitions than the children themselves. Competition moving to another front - between adults. Children see this and do their best to impress their parents. What do you think, how do I feel when I fail?

Never compare children. Praise your child for results and encourage him in case of losses. Explain to him that competitions are just fun games, and you love him no matter the outcome.

Irrational uses the method vs. reward. reward

The method, popularly called stick vs. carrot, handles the lower needs of the child. For a good result the child is encouraged (more pocket money, sweets, praise, etc.), and for the slightest misconduct, he is punished. At first, this technique works because the needs of the little athlete are fully met. But very soon, the "stick" becomes useless. The child knows in advance what punishment awaits him, so he is not afraid. If he gets what he needs, he may not even need a "carrot."

On the other hand, such a motivation can have negative consequences. Trained in this spirit, the athlete can set impossible tasks just to get adult approval. The need for parental approval, prizes, or rewards will mark the child to adulthood. Needs will not always match actual capabilities, which can lead to failure. There is a risk of feeling inferior or the child may generally lose interest in sports.

In the case of talented children, who manage to meet the requirements of adults, they will expect only one thing - reward and recognition Just business. Nothing more.

Seven signs that the sports section chosen for the child was not a good idea:

1. The child is "pushed" to go to sports activities.
2. Does do not talk about sports, impressions after activities.
3. Always apologize for not performing the exercises.
4. Do does not show any emotion before the races.
5. The kid seems tired all the time and doesn't sleep well.
6. Signs of depression - loss of appetite, nausea, and headache.
7. Avoid interaction with teammates.

Whether you have decided to play sports or simply adopt an active lifestyle, remember that it is up to you whether your child will love or hate sports.