How much pressure do you place on your child before every match? While most parents don’t think they place any pressure on their kids, the reality is quite different. The wrong attitude as a parent of an athlete can be nothing short of disastrous, and it could even push your child away from the sport. How can you make a change and ensure you’re projecting the right attitude before your child’s next match? These tips can help.

Stay Calm! If you’re anxious, nervous, or even angry, your child is going to reflect that when he or she is on the court. The single best thing you can do is to understand that this is just another match. Stay calm throughout. Clap when your child makes a point, and when the other player does well. Remaining calm throughout can help your child do the same every time he or she steps on the court.

Ask the Hard Questions. After a match, don’t spend time berating your child. Don’t offer a critique of this shot or that one. Instead, ask what went well. Ask your child what he or she might do differently in the same situation in an upcoming match. Push your child to critically look at his or her performance, both the positive and negative aspects, so that success isn’t just about the win.
Focus on the Long Term Goals. Keep in mind that it’s just a single match. No matter how good your child is, he or she still has a long way to go, and there are always things that could be addressed in the next practice session. Allowing your child to negatively evaluate performance based on a single match or allowing yourself to do the same is always going to be damaging.

Sometimes it can be tough to stay positive when you’re on the sidelines, but take a deep breath, and be the parent your child really needs throughout the next match!