From the Kids' Perspective: Sports and Parents

What kids wish their parents would do before, during and after a sports game.

William A. Hough High School sophomore Emma Husk is helping parents of teens have a better understanding of their kids with her From Kids Perspective (#FKP) surveys. Each month, she publishes a new online survey and gets about 100 responses, she says. In a recent survey about sports, Emma asked kids about what they wish their parents would do before, during and after a sports game. #FKP:

• DO help me pack my stuff for the game. We know it’s our responsibility, but we still like a little help.

• DO NOT tell me how I should play and what I should do in the game. You don’t know what the coaches have told us to do, and it puts on too much pressure and stress before the game.

• DO cheer from the sidelines for me and my teammates. Clapping and not talking too much is appreciated.

• DON’T coach me from the sidelines telling me what to do, and do not yell at the other team or refs. We feel conflicted trying to listen to you and the coach. It’s also super embarrassing when you yell at the other team, the refs or us.

AFTER a game …

• DO tell me what I did right and talk about the game in general. We hate it when you talk about the game in too much detail.

• DO NOT complain about the game, or tell me what my teammates, coaches or I did wrong. When you talk about the game in so much detail, and complain about things, it just makes us feel bad and creates bad feelings towards our teammates and coach.