Putting Pressure On Your Kids To Succeed And How Brain Avoids It

I never played football.  Not pee wee, junior high or high school.  It's something that I regret.  I really love the sport, and wish I'd given it a shot.  And I'm trying not to make my son pay for that.  Chase is in his first year of tackle football, and I find myself enjoying his experience more and more.  But I have to be careful.

I never want to become one of those parents.  The kind that puts pressure on their child to do well and excel BECAUSE they weren't able to.  Now I want my kids to succeed, don't get me wrong.  We've always encouraged our kids to be active.  We've never pushed them towards a certain activity.  Chase has played soccer, baseball, wrestling, flag football and now tackle football.  I've told him that I don't care what sport or activity he picks.  Do what you love, or else it won't be any fun.

Chase's team lost it's second straight game Sunday.  I try to offer him advice on what he can do to get better.  But the one thing I ALWAYS do is praise him for his effort, and tell him I'm proud.  Because win or lose....I am.