When watching your child play sports, it’s natural to get excited. But it’s also important to make sure you always act as a Positive Sport Parent – on game day and beyond.
Being a Positive Sport Parent means not only keeping your emotions in check on game day, but also always remaining supportive and respectful of your youth athlete – as well as all the other kids and coaches involved in the competition. It’s also vital to remember that as a parent, you have the power to help shape your youth athlete’s attitude about sports.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Play Positive sat down with budding young U.S. Snowboarding standout Julia Marino to get her thoughts on what it means to be a Positive Sport Parent.
In our exclusive TAKE 5 interview, Julia told us that her parents have always been “super supportive” of her athletic endeavors and career.
“My parents have always been very involved in every sport I do, snowboarding in particular,” said Julia, who is still a teenager. “They are always excited to travel with me and meet my coaches and do whatever it takes for me to get the most out of my snowboard experience.”
Julia added that her mother “usually cheers more” than her father, because “she gets really excited seeing me snowboard.” It’s her father, however, who travels more with her as her snowboarding career continues to take flight.
“My dad says for me to just remember what I do and remember the skills I possess,” said Julia. “He tells me to go out and do the best I can and to make the most of the experience and to most importantly, have fun!”
Julia knows that her parents have always been Positive Sport Parents. She also believes that it is important for many other parents to serve as Positive Sport Parents to other young snowboarders today.
“I think parents should keep positive and remind their kids not to settle for anything less than their best,” said Julia. “If parents don’t stay positive, sometimes the kids get discouraged and end up hating the sport they’re doing, then wind up quitting.”
To read the full TAKE 5 interview with Julia, visit PlayPositive.com. And come back next month for another exclusive TAKE 5 interview!
At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of positivity shown by people every day. We created Play Positive, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance, as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display positivity. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the hill.
©2014 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Positive Coaching Alliance. All rights reserved. This material may not be distributed without express written permission. Any reproduction in whole or part by and individuals or organizations will be held liable for copyright infringement to the full extent of the law.
