As a result of a recent outburst at The US Open, a brawl at the New York Yankee game and some unpleasant acts by music artists and politicians, I was interviewed by Cindy Hsu of WCBS TV in New York City.
During the interview I pointed out with things that parents could do to help their kids.
Here is an expanded list which includes 14 tips.
- Parents, coaches and league officials need to set guidelines and rules with
consequences for violence, trash talk and inappropriate behaviors.
- Parents need to model good sportsmanship and the idea of treating others with
kindness, dignity and respect.
- Kids need to learn anger management, self control, frustration management and
meditative techniques at an early age.
- Young athletes need to understand that anger will prevent them from entering the
zone and from performing their best.
- Athletes must be encouraged to respect their opponents. After all, they too
are practicing and working hard and trying to do well.
- You can’t always get what you want in sports or in life.
- Sports can be serious and competitive but they do not need to be life or death
situations.
- Perhaps we need to rethink the idea of winning at all costs all the time.
- Kids should be encouraged to focus on mastery, discipline, respect and camaraderie as well as on winning.
11. Rageful states are not fun and they are very dangerous.
- Sports reflect the kind of selfishness and narcissism which seems rampant in our
culture right now.
- Let your performance do the talking instead of your mouth or your fists.
14. As Ghandi said, “Nothing is as strong as gentleness.”