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Post by superpower on Feb 25, 2009 14:10:20 GMT -6
Very often we seem to get caught up complaining about parents. I want to share an email I received today (from the mother of one of our fb players) that shows that not all parents are bad:
Hi, If you see _____ would you ask if he is doing a Spring sport? He indicated that he thought he would just work. I am not sure that is in his best interest. Please encourage him to be out for track. Also, has he said anything to you about weight lifting competitions? He hasn’t said a word to us. Thanks, ______
This young man signed up for track today after I visited with him. I, for one, am blessed with good parents who work with our school and coaches in the best interest of their sons. I am sure that we have some disgruntled parents, but the large majority of our parents are supportive and want what is best for the team and for their kids.
Please add your examples of good parents in your program.
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Post by jgordon1 on Feb 25, 2009 14:31:37 GMT -6
Here is a portion of a letter I received this year
Coach Gordon,
I want to thank you for coaching my son, XXXX. I’m sure he has not told you how much you mean to him. Over the past three years, he would tell me stories about practice and just have me in stitches. He would also tell the “Damnit, XXXX” stories, too. You handled him properly as he needs rough handling from time to time. He appreciated how much trust you had in him this last year, and I think it made him feel more mature and responsible..............Sometimes parents are jealous when their kids admire another adult. In my case, nothing could be further than the truth. I’m so grateful you came along at the time you did.
This is the FIRST thank you note I have received in 20+ years of coaching. I never thought about the jealous thing before but it makes sense. The note, while totally unexpected, made a huge difference to me and i appreciated it. I think sometimes as an assistant you might not hear the thank you's that a HC might get
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Post by mariner42 on Feb 25, 2009 14:32:51 GMT -6
parents that are... good?
WHAT? WHERE ARE YOU KEEPING THESE MYTHICAL CREATURES?!?!?
Kidding, of course. Great parents are wonderful and always refreshing, although it can feel like they get drowned out by the Whiny-Wendy Soccer Mom or Arthur the Armchair All-American Dad. One of my former players isn't even in the program at this point, but his old man has done a great job keeping him on track, staying involved, and maturing as a person. I've lots of respect for him and enjoy getting emails from him, even though they only come when his boy is slipping in class.
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Post by wingt74 on Feb 25, 2009 21:39:21 GMT -6
I had a parent that brought cookies to practice before every monday practice.
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Post by touchdownmaker on Feb 26, 2009 2:43:30 GMT -6
As soon as I find a supportive parent I put him on staff. If its a supportive Mom she gets to organize the food for pre and post game meals. Good to leave the unsupportive ones huddling like losers somewhere far away from the program.
We had a very supportive team Mom who spent two years taking GREAT photos of practices and games. our kids all left with a big handful of photos and I have a bunch of them (the photos, not kids) tacked to the wall in my office. she must have spent a fortune on film and developing.
we had another supportive parent who didnt start that way. (loud joe six pack type guy) hates losing but when we got it turned around he had his face painted and big banners - AND THAT WAS FOR FRESHMAN BALL.
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Post by lochness on Feb 26, 2009 7:49:31 GMT -6
I find that about 15% of the parents are always total whack-job loons who think you are out there to get kids knees blown out, concuss their brains, rob them of their self-esteem, and prevent them from being the All-American D1 college players they were destined to be.
The next 60-65%% are the uninvolved silent majority. They go to games, they watch little Johnny run around. They grumble about the playcalling when you lose, and they talk about how good you are when you win. Not much else going on with this crowd...
Then you've got a really outstanding 20-25% who are really good people. You know they support you, they are involved in the boosters or with helping out on game day, and they are the ones who thank you and shake your hand at the end of the season. They "get it" and they know their sons are getting a great experience and learning all kids of life skills, and they are greatful for it.
That's the breakdown as far as I have seen it.
Unfortunately, the 15% psychos are usually the ones who get the most attention and end up spreading the most negativity...and ultimately this little minority can really damage a program.
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Post by red2slam on Feb 26, 2009 8:11:22 GMT -6
they are also the 15 pct that run the country IMO.
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Post by rathernot on Feb 26, 2009 8:35:49 GMT -6
Here is an e-mail I received from a grandparent this season.
Coach --------, I wanted to send you a short note to tell you how much I enjoyed watching the 8th grade team play this season. ------ ------ is my grandson. My wife and I live down in the --------------- area of --------------. I came up for the ----- --- game on Tuesday evening. I enjoyed watching ---------------- play, and was proud of how well he did. I was also quite proud of the entire team effort against an obviously well coached, talented opponent. After the game I went to the concession stand to get something to drink for the drive home. Two -JHS 8th grade players were in line next to me. I did not know them, nor did I notice their uniform numbers. I want you to tell you that they were the gentlemen that I know you expect them to be in such situations. Nothing major, just very polite to the lady taking their order...and when they were served the brief exchange ended with each saying, "Thank you." I also want to compliment you on your demeanor throughout the game. I was sitting with some fans who were occasionally critical of the officials. However, you remained focused on what was important, and that was to keep the kids focused on the game. The team is talented, but it takes a special person to take that talent and produce the results that we all love to see. Congratulations on a great season, and keep up the good work on behalf of the kids at -JHS!
Always makes you feel good when you get one like this!
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Post by wingt74 on Feb 26, 2009 11:44:14 GMT -6
I find that about 15% of the parents are always total whack-job loons who think you are out there to get kids knees blown out, concuss their brains, rob them of their self-esteem, and prevent them from being the All-American D1 college players they were destined to be. The next 60-65%% are the uninvolved silent majority. They go to games, they watch little Johnny run around. They grumble about the playcalling when you lose, and they talk about how good you are when you win. Not much else going on with this crowd... Then you've got a really outstanding 20-25% who are really good people. You know they support you, they are involved in the boosters or with helping out on game day, and they are the ones who thank you and shake your hand at the end of the season. They "get it" and they know their sons are getting a great experience and learning all kids of life skills, and they are greatful for it. That's the breakdown as far as I have seen it. Unfortunately, the 15% psychos are usually the ones who get the most attention and end up spreading the most negativity...and ultimately this little minority can really damage a program. I would say it's more like 5% crazy's 80% silent majority 15% boosters These are the labeles we give to parents "John's parents are boosters" or "Ricky's parents are crazy's" But those 5% are such a P.I.T.A. that it seems like it's 25%. On the flip side, I had one family would make an event out of youth games. Older sister and a friend handled the water, older brother and two friends did the chains, dad did the clock, and mom did the 50/50 raffle. Their son was 'ok', he played, tried hard, was very respectful, very coachable. Interesting how that works.
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