One of the biggest determining factors in both a child’s success and enjoyment in the game of hockey is the support of his or her parents.
They’re the ones that drive you to and from the rink for practice, give you pep talks before the big game, and they’re also the ones fronting the expenses that come with the game.
There are ways to be a supportive hockey parent that’ll make your child’s experience more enjoyable, and will also help them become a better player along the way.
Some of these ways are as follows!
- Criticize, but constructively
- Encourage them when they’re playing well
- Regardless of the level they’re playing at, make them feel as if they’re playing at the top
- Don’t discourage their National Hockey League (NHL) dreams
- Watch their games attentively, and be sure they can hear you screaming their name
- Never allow them to feel as though paying for hockey, or attending their games or practices is a burden to your life
- Coach their team if you have the time to do so!
- No matter what the results of their games are, tell them you’re proud of them!
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the day always comes when your child no longer wants to play the game. The hardest but most important part of being a supportive parent is understanding their decision, and allowing them to do what they want.
Even if you have a hard time with letting go of watching your child play.
