Comments on: Helping Kids Lose Like Pros

By: b

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:52:21 +0000

The last part of your comment really nails it. Kids need to learn that failing is actually a good thing – you learn from it. If they become fearful of losing then they won’t even bother trying and then they miss out on life.

Thanks for the comment!

By: Sandy Naidu

Sandy Naidu — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:22:46 +0000

Like you said, many parents these days seem to be living their childhoods through their children – sorry state. No one can win at everything – as adults we know this – and so why teach the children otherwise. These kids might grow up and stop trying different things because of fear of losing.

By: ciara

ciara — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:24:38 +0000

i like the doctor’s article and points. ‘Discouraging winning and excellence only raises the level of mediocrity.’ in whose eyes? why is it if we don’t place too much importance on winning, and yes, sometimes we like winning, we are discouraging it? i don’t think what the doctor says is about discouraging, it’s about how to take the negatives and turn them into a positive so that children can be better, have more self-confidence. all a parent does when they put too much pressure on their children is stress them out and make them feel even more negative because they have to hear those parents go on and on about what they did wrong. it’s NEVER about what they do right. i really hate when parents force their kids to do things. if my kids don’t love and enjoy whatever they do, then it’s not worth it to me. and guess what? don’t need sports to be a winner or to excel. sports is not the end all and be all….there are many activities out there to be a winner or excel at. some that last a lifetime. sports only lasts so long for some.

By: Mocha Dad

Mocha Dad — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:52:33 +0000

My kids are sore losers and I’m teaching them to be better losers. They are even more obnoxious when they win.

By: b

Fri, 15 May 2009 16:48:56 +0000

I can understand how some of those items could irritate folks. I’m not trying to irritate anyone I’m just trying to express my feelings towards those parents that take it too far. You loved getting up early to play games but not all kids do. They may do it only to pacify their parents and I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think it hurts anyone if the parents simply ask their kids occasionally if they still want to do it. I do feel that sports can be an amazing part of kid’s lives as long as they have a say in whether or not they want to be involved.

“Discouraging winning and excellence only raises the level of mediocrity.” I completely agree. In fact, I’m already holding my kids up to what some would consider very high standards in other aspects of their lives. But I’m also trying to be reasonable about it too and not get too carried away.

Thank you for the comment!

By: Daddy Files

Daddy Files — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:28:50 +0000

I know what you’re getting at and I agree to an extent, but some of what I read in your post just really irritates me.

Yes kids should be taught to have fun and enjoy the game. And some parents will always take it to an extreme and act like raging morons on the sidelines. But while having fun and learning the game is crucial, there’s no point without winning. And at some point, kids need to learn that too. That’s why I’m totally against the idea of not keeping score in kids games when they get to be 7-8 years old.

Winning is not the only thing, but it’s certainly not a bad thing. I played three sports a year throughout my childhood and I was practicing at 5 a.m. and on travel teams. And I loved it. Were we pressured to win? Yes. Did we get better because of it? Absolutely.

Discouraging winning and excellence only raises the level of mediocrity.