tomASS wrote:O-town, liking sports or getting excited their kids is one thing. To post evaluations of their future prospect or puff their chest about games or tourneys at this age is a logic chip problem IMO.
If it is all about fun and development, then winning or future prospects of players or teams do not matter or should not be posted unless their is a need by the insecure daddy doing so. Typically it is parents with their first born in a sport they loved and didn't achieve the success they wanted for themselves who has to do this type of posting
You seem to be excited about what your kid does but never once do you post unrealistic expectations about his future. You seem to get it.
Tom:
I think there's a massive difference between saying Whizbang Skatershooter is the best Mite in town and concluding that because he's the best Mite he'll go on to be a star teenager. In this thread you do have some speculating about certain kids holding press conferences.
All kids want to be good at something. Look at how they interact with each other. "I have an iPod." "Well, I have two iPods and a Wii!" I feel sorry for the kids that aren't exposed to activities by their parents because it will be harder for them to find an area where they excel. By good at something I don't mean a world-beater, just good enough to have confidence in themselves.
My sense is that many are quick to assume that a person excited about a summer Squirt age game also thinks their kid is destined for stardom. Maybe they had a talk before their kid signed on for the team about hard work and they feel the win at the end somehow cements the lesson that hard work pays off.
At dinner last night my son asked which team in our state is the best. I told him the Florida Jr. Panthers because they have success at every age level. He said, "I want to play for the Junior Panthers."
It was a wonderful setup to teach him something about life. "What's the fun in that? If they are already the best and you merely go along for the ride you haven't made an impact. Play with your friends and you'll maybe be able to beat them. Imagine how good you'll feel!"
There are many reasons to encourage sports participation. For me, I hope my son has the same positive memories of puttin' on the foil before a big game, giving it your all, and feeling pumped at the end - win OR lose.
You'll find this funny. The program my son is in this season (starts tonight) has at least as many if not more hours of scheduled ice time than Mite Choice at Minnesota Made. I've said it many times. I have no problem with Made, but pity those that think there's something magic to it.
Best of luck with your son's team this season. Is he a Pee Wee now?
Be kind. Rewind.