Write your search in the input below and press enter.
Esc to close.

The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich

Peak Performance:
Not Just for Sports, for Life

  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
    • Recent
    • Athletes
    • Coaching
    • Sports Parenting
    • Sports Administrators
    • Life
    • Administrators
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Hello. Sign In

My Account
  • Login
  • Register
0
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk
Subscribe
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
  • Recent
  • Athletes
  • Coaching
  • Sports Parenting
  • Life
  • Administrators
Home / Blog / The Bragging Sports Parent

The Bragging Sports Parent

By: Dr. Chris Stankovich | @DrStankovich | Feb 23, 2012

No Comments

brag·gart [noun] – a person who does a lot of bragging.

We all know that sports parent — the braggart who seizes every opportunity to tell you about how fast, strong, skilled, and great their kid is in youth sports.  You know exactly what I am talking about, as you have likely been in his or her company many times in the past.  The bragging sports parent often has no idea of how boastful he or she sounds, and therefore goes on endlessly talking about his kid while seemingly having no interest at all in talking about your kid.  Yes, this type of parent could definitely use some couch time at a sport psychologist’s office!

With warm weather just around the corner, it’s important that we all be reminded to not become that parent this summer sports season.  Of course, it’s easy (and very understandable) to be your kid’s biggest fan, but you don’t need to be the one to tell the world about how great your kid is – instead, allow others to make that judgement for themselves. Rather than using words like how “unbelievable” or “amazing” or “dominating” your kid is, try some of the following, more humble ways to talk about your kid:

  • First, try not to ever brag about your kid — instead, cheer him or her on and simply be a supportive parent (your kid will be thrilled with this, trust me).
  • If someone compliments you about your kid, try responding with a simple and genuine “thank you,” or if you want to expand a little more try to think of fair and accurate ways to describe your child’s efforts and interactions with teammates and coaches, not her results (i.e. “she works really hard,” or “her improvement can be attributed to great coaching and really supportive teammates”).
  • Never say “did you just see that?” with an exacerbated look on your face when talking about something your kid did on the field.  That’s a form of gloating, and people don’t like gloating.
  • Never be “showy” when congratulating your kid after he does something good for the team — normal applause and cheering out “great job” is plenty!  Some parents feel the need to go bananas and yell and scream while hoisting their kid in the air after hitting  bunt single — instead, keep your cheers in perspective.
  • Bonus — try to find as many genuine ways to offer praise to other parents about their kids! Not only is this a very nice thing to do, but you will likely benefit from reciprocal comments from them about your kid!
Be sure to support and love your young athlete as much as possible, but also be aware to not go overboard and boast about his every sport accomplishment.  The best way to teach humility is to model it, so make it a goal to be a supportive — and humble — parent this summer.
Help your child improve his game by checking out our ever-expanding professional live of sport performance products only at Advanced Human Performance Systems!
www.drstankovich.com

arrogance, behavior, bragging, fan, Parents_old, psychology, sports, support

  • Author
  • Comments
  • Details
Get to Know the Author

Dr. Chris Stankovich

Dr. Stankovich has written/co-written five books, including Positive Transitions for Student Athletes, The ParentsPlaybook, Mind of Steel.

Latest Blog Posts

  • May 17, 2022 Many Kids are Struggling with their Mental Health Right Now — Here’s How We Can Help
  • May 16, 2022 Legal Sports Gambling is Everywhere Today, But is this a Good Thing?
  • May 13, 2022 Resiliency and Successful Stress Coping are Key to Optimal Mental Health
  • May 10, 2022 Encourage Student Athletes to Ask for Help if they are Feeling Overwhelmed by Stress
  • May 5, 2022 Taking a Critical Examination of the ADHD Diagnosis

Comments are closed.

PREVIOUS POST

The Dangers of Anti-Depressants as Discussed on 60 Minutes

NEXT POST

Excellence in Sports (and Life) Doesn’t Happen Casually

Category

Fan Behavior , Leadership and Role Modeling , Off Field Issues , Parent Training , Social Responsibility , Sport Diversity , Sport Philosophy , Sport Psychology , Sport Sociology , Sports Culture and Society , Sports Humor , Sports Leadership , Sports Parenting , Sports Performance Science , Team Building , Team Chemistry , Team Cohesion , Travel Leagues , Uncategorized , Youth and Interscholastic Sports , Youth Sports

Tags

arrogance, behavior, bragging, fan, Parents_old, psychology, sports, support

  • Recent Posts
  • Most Read
  • Many Kids are Struggling with their Mental Health Right Now -- Here's How We Can Help
  • Legal Sports Gambling is Everywhere Today, But is this a Good Thing?
  • Resiliency and Successful Stress Coping are Key to Optimal Mental Health
  • Encourage Student Athletes to Ask for Help if they are Feeling Overwhelmed by Stress
  • Taking a Critical Examination of the ADHD Diagnosis
  • Overcome the Fear of Failure, Improve Mental Toughness, & Experience Success
  • 4 Important Team Building Tips to Help Coaches Succeed
  • Travel League or Recreation? How Parents Can Make (or Break) the Youth Sport Experience
  • Learn the Latest Research to See if Sport Specialization is Right for You
  • How Much Impact Does a Coach Have on Sports Team Success?
  • The Sports Doc on TV

    Catch Dr. Stankovich’s tv, radio, and print interviews and columns here!

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Watch Videos
  • Sport Performance Assessment

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Quickly and accurately test your level of mental toughness in just a few minutes using the Sport Performance Assessment.

    (SPA), an easy-to-use sport psychology system specially designed to help you REACH YOUR FULL ATHLETIC POTENTIAL.

    learn more
  • SportsSuccess360

    Life strategies for performance and character development for coaches, parents, and student athletes competing in youth and interscholastic sports.

    Life Strategies learn more
  • Contact Dr. Stankovich

    1395 Grandview Avenue Suite 6, Columbus OH 43212

    (614) 561-4482
    Media & General Inquiries
    information@drstankovich.com
    Sales & Product Support
    sales@drstankovich.com
  • About Dr. Stankovich

    • Media
    • Blog
    • Testimonials
  • Products

    • Toolkits
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Audio
    • iPhone Apps
  • Services

    • Athlete Performance Training
    • Parent Community Forum
    • Coach Education & Development
    • Athletic Crisis Response and Intervention
    • Drug & Alcohol Assessment
    • Life Success Programs
    • Counseling & Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • YouTube
  • twitter
  • facebook

All rights reserved © 2022 Advanced Human Performance Systems™

↓ ↓