Although I have developed this content for student-athletes, parents, and guardians, this is a special section for dad, mom, grandpop, grandmom, uncle, aunt, and guardian. There are a few things that parents can do to place their child in a good position to earn a scholarship. Here are a few of those healthy behaviors that I have observed.
Top 10 List of Positive Parental Behaviors
- Exhibits a genuine and natural concern for their child’s well-being.
- Emphasizes and reinforces the importance of love, respect, and discipline.
- Regularly attends child’s athletic events and other school activities.
- Takes serious steps to ensure their child develops academically. (Educational games, Programs, Tutor, Study aids, Camps).
- Invests in child’s athletic development but maintains balance to eliminate undue pressure.
- Does research to become knowledgeable about NCAA recruiting and eligibility rules.
- Shows interest and appreciation for networking and exchanging information. (You’ll be surprised who people know and who recommends your child to a school).
- Is the gatekeeper to their child and able to ask others for help but discern people.
- Creates an action plan with their child that incorporates purpose, development, direction, goals, expectations, and measurable results.
- Researches colleges/universities and coaches that their child has an interest in or that presents a good fit based on your action plan.
I understand that you love your children and want the best for them but sometimes you can also block your blessings. Here are a few parental behaviors that can have a negative impact on your child’s quest to earn a scholarship. Please don’t be this type of parent or guardian: This list will grow and please email or post your own additions!
Top 10 List of Parental Behaviors TO AVOID
(We keep it 100)
- Take money or gifts prior to your child turning professional from non-family members or friends. (You know what I mean).
- Engage in a personal and physical relationship with a coach or recruiter of your child.
- Relinquish parental responsibilities for the sole sake of your child’s athletic career.
- Commit your child to multiple schools, organizations, agencies, etc at the same time. (Let your yes be yes and your no, be no).
- Act like you are the one being recruited and forget your child’s best interest.
- Believe that you are the best coach/trainer in the world and nobody can coach/train your child better than you. (Perhaps you are but you can learn from anybody)
- Believe you don’t know anything about sports and justify giving someone else sole decision-making power without considering other sources.
- Choose to lie about your child’s abilities, grades, SAT score, ranking, physical stature, etc. (It will come back & bite you)
- Disillusioned to think and promote your child as the greatest athlete to be born. (Let history make that claim).
- Not allow others in authority to provide constructive criticism.