When our kids were young and living in our homes, we either did or did not coach their sports teams; it was either a good or a bad experience--for them and for us. Now there our kids are, all grown up and thinking about coaching their own kids. Or possibly asking us to help out--or maybe even suggesting we volunteer to be the coach.
This latter may be wishful thinking on the part of some of granddads--or grandmums--who fancied themselves athletes and great coaches in their younger days. But the idea of coaching a Grand's team is not just a return to our once-athletic selves. It's also a chance to spend quality time with a Grand and bond over an experience that lends itself to endless discussion and sharing of information.
Should such an opportunity present itself, here's a 10-reasons list to review before rising to the challenge. The official title is "10 reasons dad may not want to coach a youth baseball team." But it applies to all sports and to moms and dads, grandparents and grand uncles as well.
In addition to the usual points about the difficulties of coaching your own child or grandchild--not showing favoritism; being a model of good sportsmanship--the list ends with this reason to keep your seat on the sidelines or in the stands: "One of the great joys of being a parent of a sporting child is watching that child play and grow within the game. As a coach, you might struggle with staying objective and keeping your emotions in check. Watching from the stands will give fathers the chance to enjoy their child’s play and not worry about the pressures of coaching."
For grandparents, there's the additional opportunity as observer to add our two-cents of advice to our grown kids about what we see happening on the field where their kids--our Grands--are playing. That, too, can be an endless source of discussion, conversation and bonding--a sharing of our love of the game and the wisdom we may have accrued about the subtleties of the sport.
We also serve who stand, cheer and keep an eye on the dynamics of the field of play.
