There’s a big difference between encouraging boys in sports and pushing boys in sports.
You want to fall on the encouraging side of that line. Boy culture is still heavily oriented around sports & athletics, so boys face all kinds of pressure to prove their masculinity on the field, court, or pitch. If your son isn’t interested in sports, that’s okay! Encourage and support his interests, whatever they are. You can also support continued exploration and regular physical activity — because even the non-sporty among us need & deserve to move our bodies in ways that work for us.
If you have a sports-crazy son….well, your job is to encourage and support his efforts and goals without obsessing. Or putting too much pressure on him.
Parents who give their child the support he needs demonstrate their care for his overall well-being. These tips can help you encourage your son, whether you have a sports-crazy kid or one who’d rather read, draw, or play video games:
Be a Role Model
The first thing you need to do is try and be a role model for them. You need to make sure that you are aware of how they watch you and what they take in. One of the best ways for you to show them would be for you to get involved yourself. Dust your trainers or sneakers and sign up for a local fun run. Or put on a pair of hikers and head out to the woods. Or, pick up a paddle and give kayaking or canoeing a go. If there’s a sport you’ve always wanted to try, there’s no harm in you giving it a go. When your kids see you trying new activities, they may be more inclined to try new things themselves. They may even want to join you in your new hobby!
Cheer them On
Cheering them on is also so important. You need to make sure that you are showing them how much you care and that you also get them excited about their sporting journey. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can help them compete. If you can do this, then you will notice a huge improvement, and you may even find that you can also give them a reason to push forward. Remember: effort and persistence are more important than wins and losses. Celebrate your son’s wins, but also let him know that you love and support him regardless of the outcome. (Pro tip: It’s not your job to critique him performance. After a win or a loss, let him lead the conversation — and if he doesn’t want to talk, let it be.)
Invest in Them
Parents are often reluctant to invest in something their child may give up. This is understandable — after all, money doesn’t grow on trees! — but buying (or borrowing) the gear they need can make a big difference in a boy’s involvement in sports. Kids need equipment that fits them and suits their needs. It’s not fair to ask a left-handed boy to use his brother’s hand-me-down, right-hand glove, so yes, investing in left-handed baseball gloves makes sense. (If money is tight, consider asking around before you buy. Another family may have some gear you can borrow.)
Finally: have fun! Don’t fight with your son over sports. Encourage and support his efforts, his goals, his interests.
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