I absolutely loved coaching my kids. I always tried my best to treat them like all the other kids. There are just so many life lessons in youth sports and I cherish those years. If it wasn’t for the parents, it would have been pure bliss.
My husband (later joined by my son) coached AYSO and the competitive CY teams for years. The parents were harder to manage than the kids. My advice is to support what your child wants and make them feel good about whatever skill level they are at. FWIW, I was told by both my son and my daughter that my exhortations on the sidelines made them nervous. I never said a word when they had the ball. Always tried to encourage them after the game was over. My daughter is 5’2” and played basketball on an adult team last summer. Guess we succeeded in building her confidence 😂.
I'm sure you could write a book on youth sports (and parental behavior at games) just from your experiences. I have a couple kids who were decent athletes (one recruited D1, one D3, but neither pursued college sports) and I coached a bit, but mostly I just watched literally hundreds of games. I have great memories and I developed some great friendships -- as did my kids -- but by far the worst part of all those years was that minority of parents who became obnoxious. I've got stories, as does every other parent who watched more than a couple games. You're in good company.
Yes... both my kids play soccer as adults; my son still plays with a bunch of high school teammates. To me, that's one of the best things about the experience they had as kids. But burnout is real. One of my son's HS teammates was recruited and played at a Big 10 school, but saw little playing time over his 4 years. He's one of the few in the area that doesn't play in the men's league -- just no passion for the game any more.
I’ll give the perspective of a dad who helped coach all of his kids through various sports (mainly soccer, but also some baseball): At the time, it was a colossal pain in the tuchus, but now that those years are in my rear view mirror, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My kids learned teamwork and got lifelong memories and hopefully, I’ll be a small part of those memories.
My question: What if the Supreme Court really does bless this insane “Independent State Legislature” theory or, almost as bad, if it just fails to act? I can see that ending fair elections in many parts of the country, and the effect on the House could be disastrous.
My husband coached our sons baseball team for several seasons. T-Ball was a blast and he loved every minute of it. The next several years were lots of fun and if he wasn’t coach, he was an Assistan coach. However, once our son was about 10, the whole vibe changed. Parents were shouting, yelling and totally uncontrolled to the point it was taking the joy out of it. My husband tried to help in the dug out as much as he could handle it as parents didn’t want to help, they wanted to be on the sidelines making things totally miserable and thankless. The final straw for my husbands help was when our son was in his first year of Babe Ruth baseball. Our team was in the playoffs and it was scorching hot, think upper 90s with humidity as high. One pitcher was out due to heat stroke and taken to the ER. Our son was pitching and came off the mound saying he was freezing cold, yet sweating, dizzy and felt like he was going to pass out. Parents were bringing over water, cold cloths, etc. The coach said to my son to get ready for the next inning and I said no, he’s out of the game. Coach said “no, I need him in the game”. I reiterated a firm no, so coach kicked a bucket, threw down his glove and had some choice words. Our son is now 30 and has enjoyed playing in a wood league, mens team.
Question: I know you have written about how MSM is in a bind that Trump does need to be covered. I see your point but, respectfully disagree at this point. I know CNN is your former employer but I don’t see how they can square the circle of having Trump on for a town hall. Love Kaitlan Collins and think she is a very good and tough interviewer, tough enough? I hope so. However, I see it as a venue for Trump to just run roughshod and spew whatever he wants to spew. I am not sure that CNNs typical viewer would be changing their minds and wind up voting for him. I see the way Trump is trying to not participate in the primary debates and wants them all cancelled as he is the front runner. I see this all as everyone bending to his will. Therefore, how can the MSM cover Trump without having a repeat of 2016 where every single utterance was covered as if he was God?
Why are bills in Congress so insanely large? Why not break things up so they are easier to pass? Imagine Democrats proposing a standalone bill to raise the top tax rate by 1% with all of that money earmarked towards homeless veterans. Would Republicans vote against it?
I stopped playing soccer when I was 8 because we started playing other towns and the parents and coaches started taking the game way too seriously.
Now my question- Tim Scott is a bachelor. How much do you think that will impact his campaign, if at all? Does a presidential candidate (male or female) need the smiling wife and adoring children to be successful?
Influencers are just salespeople, wake up. Visit my new site. Supplements that make your urine have more supplements in it!! Unless you have a medical condition, a normal diet gives you all the nutrients that you need. That includes even a One-A Day vitamin. You do not need that!. Unless you have a medical condition.
Self funded candidate, what a great thing. All it means is that they put in 2 million dollars to start up the fundraising machine. That excludes all other less rich candidates from running. After the campaign machine is running well, they always pay themselves back the 2 million . This we call a democracy? It is an oligarchy, look it up. Ask your local bank for a 2 Million dollar loan to run your campaign. LOL.
Credit card companies charge 2% or 3% or 4% for all transactions to a vendor. If the vendors offer a 2% discount for a cash payment, the credit card companies will remove their ability to use all card transactions So we all have to pay 2% or more to the banks even if we do not use them and pay in cash. Where is the government oversight for such usury?
JPMorgan Chase has acquired First Republic. That buyout would usually require a lot of scrutiny from the government., But it was a bailout so no one is looking at the acquisition. What a load of crap. Soon we will have three or four banks that run the entire banking industry. And WE WILL PAY!!!
If the Supreme court can decide who won a presidential election ( Bush V Gore), clearly some oversight is required. Where is that written in the constitution that the Supreme Court can decide an election? It is not. Massive overreach and it was not disputed. A LOT of oversight is needed or they become kings who rule us all. The legislature created the Supreme Court, so of course they can regulate it. Checks and balances. On another note, If money is speech, as Citizens United rules, then any taxes on my money are a violation of my first amendment rights as taxes take away some of my money so that limits my freedom of speech. My point is not that I should not pay taxes, (I should), but that money is not speech. Money as speech is ridiculous. When parties have so much money that they can actually fund who they want to run against in the other party, that is way too much money. Look at DeSantises' last two elections. The Rep party funded the Dem primary winners through dark money. His Democratic opponents (the lamest) in both elections got a huge amount of help at the last minute in the primaries from undisclosed sources. He was a winner because he was a great politician? No, he (or rather Republican super Pacs) got to pick who he ran against, that will not happen in the Rep primaries or the 2024 general election. DeSantis does not have some magical powers. He does not have his fingers on the pulse of all Republicans and the recipe for all Republicans to win. He just had a lot of the dark money supporting him and his least electable opponents. Dark money should not even be a thing. If you think I am a partisan hack, let me point out that the Dems did the same thing with Trumps wacko candidates in 2022. They helped to fund them so they could lose. Too much money is in the game because of the Citizens United ruling. When you can fund your candidate and also fund your chosen opposition, money, and only money, rules the game.
CNN headline states AOC won’t challenge Gillibrand which (if true) is her third straight pass for higher office in NY (Shumer, Governor, now Gillibrand). We know she’s not afraid to take on an established Dem (that’s how she crashed the Congressional scene) and she easily grabs attention and money, but what do you see as her long game? If it is the presidency, being a Governor or Senator is the traditional path, not Congresswoman and leader of “the squad.”
For years, I was a "parent helper" for my daughter, Alexandra's, townie soccer and basketball teams.
I played neither (football and track for me), but I enjoyed running drills for her town teams.
Alex was naturally competitive and was incensed by "showing-up awards."
Question: Your opinion on giving everyone in a town sports league an "award," or should kids learn the reality of winning and losing early in life?
I absolutely loved coaching my kids. I always tried my best to treat them like all the other kids. There are just so many life lessons in youth sports and I cherish those years. If it wasn’t for the parents, it would have been pure bliss.
My husband (later joined by my son) coached AYSO and the competitive CY teams for years. The parents were harder to manage than the kids. My advice is to support what your child wants and make them feel good about whatever skill level they are at. FWIW, I was told by both my son and my daughter that my exhortations on the sidelines made them nervous. I never said a word when they had the ball. Always tried to encourage them after the game was over. My daughter is 5’2” and played basketball on an adult team last summer. Guess we succeeded in building her confidence 😂.
I didn't play the sports my daughter played (soccer and basketball) so I had no guidance for her on or off the field/court.
In town basketball, the coaches (same as her soccer coaches) used her aggressive defensive skills to be a "designated mauler."
At 5'2", she was played opposite the best player of the other team, regardless of position, in hopes she would draw fouls.
She fouled out often, yet also made the opposing player ride the bench for many minutes with their fouls.
I'm sure you could write a book on youth sports (and parental behavior at games) just from your experiences. I have a couple kids who were decent athletes (one recruited D1, one D3, but neither pursued college sports) and I coached a bit, but mostly I just watched literally hundreds of games. I have great memories and I developed some great friendships -- as did my kids -- but by far the worst part of all those years was that minority of parents who became obnoxious. I've got stories, as does every other parent who watched more than a couple games. You're in good company.
My daughter was offered a scholarship for soccer, but was burned out and turned it down to join the Navy.
14 years later, after eight years in the service, she finished grad school and now plays adult soccer.
She told me recently, "I have my old love of playing again. The difference is that the kids are on the sidelines."
Yes... both my kids play soccer as adults; my son still plays with a bunch of high school teammates. To me, that's one of the best things about the experience they had as kids. But burnout is real. One of my son's HS teammates was recruited and played at a Big 10 school, but saw little playing time over his 4 years. He's one of the few in the area that doesn't play in the men's league -- just no passion for the game any more.
I’ll give the perspective of a dad who helped coach all of his kids through various sports (mainly soccer, but also some baseball): At the time, it was a colossal pain in the tuchus, but now that those years are in my rear view mirror, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My kids learned teamwork and got lifelong memories and hopefully, I’ll be a small part of those memories.
My question: What if the Supreme Court really does bless this insane “Independent State Legislature” theory or, almost as bad, if it just fails to act? I can see that ending fair elections in many parts of the country, and the effect on the House could be disastrous.
If I can sneak in another question-
Bigger risk: Dems nominating Biden or GOP nominating Trump
My husband coached our sons baseball team for several seasons. T-Ball was a blast and he loved every minute of it. The next several years were lots of fun and if he wasn’t coach, he was an Assistan coach. However, once our son was about 10, the whole vibe changed. Parents were shouting, yelling and totally uncontrolled to the point it was taking the joy out of it. My husband tried to help in the dug out as much as he could handle it as parents didn’t want to help, they wanted to be on the sidelines making things totally miserable and thankless. The final straw for my husbands help was when our son was in his first year of Babe Ruth baseball. Our team was in the playoffs and it was scorching hot, think upper 90s with humidity as high. One pitcher was out due to heat stroke and taken to the ER. Our son was pitching and came off the mound saying he was freezing cold, yet sweating, dizzy and felt like he was going to pass out. Parents were bringing over water, cold cloths, etc. The coach said to my son to get ready for the next inning and I said no, he’s out of the game. Coach said “no, I need him in the game”. I reiterated a firm no, so coach kicked a bucket, threw down his glove and had some choice words. Our son is now 30 and has enjoyed playing in a wood league, mens team.
Question: I know you have written about how MSM is in a bind that Trump does need to be covered. I see your point but, respectfully disagree at this point. I know CNN is your former employer but I don’t see how they can square the circle of having Trump on for a town hall. Love Kaitlan Collins and think she is a very good and tough interviewer, tough enough? I hope so. However, I see it as a venue for Trump to just run roughshod and spew whatever he wants to spew. I am not sure that CNNs typical viewer would be changing their minds and wind up voting for him. I see the way Trump is trying to not participate in the primary debates and wants them all cancelled as he is the front runner. I see this all as everyone bending to his will. Therefore, how can the MSM cover Trump without having a repeat of 2016 where every single utterance was covered as if he was God?
Why are bills in Congress so insanely large? Why not break things up so they are easier to pass? Imagine Democrats proposing a standalone bill to raise the top tax rate by 1% with all of that money earmarked towards homeless veterans. Would Republicans vote against it?
I stopped playing soccer when I was 8 because we started playing other towns and the parents and coaches started taking the game way too seriously.
Now my question- Tim Scott is a bachelor. How much do you think that will impact his campaign, if at all? Does a presidential candidate (male or female) need the smiling wife and adoring children to be successful?
Influencers are just salespeople, wake up. Visit my new site. Supplements that make your urine have more supplements in it!! Unless you have a medical condition, a normal diet gives you all the nutrients that you need. That includes even a One-A Day vitamin. You do not need that!. Unless you have a medical condition.
Self funded candidate, what a great thing. All it means is that they put in 2 million dollars to start up the fundraising machine. That excludes all other less rich candidates from running. After the campaign machine is running well, they always pay themselves back the 2 million . This we call a democracy? It is an oligarchy, look it up. Ask your local bank for a 2 Million dollar loan to run your campaign. LOL.
Credit card companies charge 2% or 3% or 4% for all transactions to a vendor. If the vendors offer a 2% discount for a cash payment, the credit card companies will remove their ability to use all card transactions So we all have to pay 2% or more to the banks even if we do not use them and pay in cash. Where is the government oversight for such usury?
A major bank merger just happened.
JPMorgan Chase has acquired First Republic. That buyout would usually require a lot of scrutiny from the government., But it was a bailout so no one is looking at the acquisition. What a load of crap. Soon we will have three or four banks that run the entire banking industry. And WE WILL PAY!!!
If the Supreme court can decide who won a presidential election ( Bush V Gore), clearly some oversight is required. Where is that written in the constitution that the Supreme Court can decide an election? It is not. Massive overreach and it was not disputed. A LOT of oversight is needed or they become kings who rule us all. The legislature created the Supreme Court, so of course they can regulate it. Checks and balances. On another note, If money is speech, as Citizens United rules, then any taxes on my money are a violation of my first amendment rights as taxes take away some of my money so that limits my freedom of speech. My point is not that I should not pay taxes, (I should), but that money is not speech. Money as speech is ridiculous. When parties have so much money that they can actually fund who they want to run against in the other party, that is way too much money. Look at DeSantises' last two elections. The Rep party funded the Dem primary winners through dark money. His Democratic opponents (the lamest) in both elections got a huge amount of help at the last minute in the primaries from undisclosed sources. He was a winner because he was a great politician? No, he (or rather Republican super Pacs) got to pick who he ran against, that will not happen in the Rep primaries or the 2024 general election. DeSantis does not have some magical powers. He does not have his fingers on the pulse of all Republicans and the recipe for all Republicans to win. He just had a lot of the dark money supporting him and his least electable opponents. Dark money should not even be a thing. If you think I am a partisan hack, let me point out that the Dems did the same thing with Trumps wacko candidates in 2022. They helped to fund them so they could lose. Too much money is in the game because of the Citizens United ruling. When you can fund your candidate and also fund your chosen opposition, money, and only money, rules the game.
CNN headline states AOC won’t challenge Gillibrand which (if true) is her third straight pass for higher office in NY (Shumer, Governor, now Gillibrand). We know she’s not afraid to take on an established Dem (that’s how she crashed the Congressional scene) and she easily grabs attention and money, but what do you see as her long game? If it is the presidency, being a Governor or Senator is the traditional path, not Congresswoman and leader of “the squad.”
Youth sports... Man, I don’t. Said my piece earlier.