Are You a Pushy Softball Parent?

I just read an article that talks about "those" kinds of youth softball parents.  You know the ones.  They are pushy, they always think their child is the best, and they get overly competitive and outspoken when it comes to their child.  Now I understand wanting the best for your kids.  I'm a parent too.  I know that it's hard to see when you're child is not being treated fairly, but there are limits.  There's nothing wrong with wanting to speak up for or defend your child, but at the same time, there is a time and place for it and there is a time when you need to start letting them learn to deal with their own challenges and problems.

I know one softball parent who told her daughters that, once they were in high school, she would no longer talk to their coaches for them.  If they had questions, if they wanted to know why they weren't playing as much as they wanted to, she made it their responsibility to talk with the coach. It definitely takes discipline to stay "hands off" as a parent.

Here are some tips from the article about how to be a better softball parent:

• It's good to be an advocate for your children and stand up for them, but balance that with teaching your children to advocate for themselves and solve their own problems.

• With sports teams, remember that the coaches are often volunteers, and they want what is best for the team. Your child just may not be one of the best players on the team.

• Realize that a teacher and coach is responsible for taking care of numerous children, not just your child. Try to understand situations from another perspective.

• If you feel the need to talk to a teacher or coach about a problem that is affecting your child, approach them in a caring and helpful way: "How can we work together to solve this problem?"

• Don't demand benefits for your child to the detriment of other children's needs.

So what's your strategy for making sure you don't turn into a pushy softball parent? Do you have any tips or guidelines you'd like to share with other softball parents and coaches? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!