Bear with me here because there is a lesson in this post for junior coaches.
Recently read an article about what high school coaches want from parents. It read something like-go the stands, shut up, and do not be rude!
I did a clinic with another national coach and we were asked what input we wanted from parents. This coach stated, “nothing, I coach, they parent. It is that simple.”
I have never looked at it that way. Probably because I worked in public education for 29 years and always felt I worked for the parents more than I did for the school and school board even. I found if the parents did not know who I was, and what I was doing there could be a ton of misinformation and if you think the Russians are good at fake news, you have never raised a teenager!
I looked forward to parents’ nights and I looked forward to conferences and phone calls when necessary to explain what I am seeing in the classroom. But I also used those occasions to ask for help. Often a parent knows their child well and may have an idea or two that a teacher or coach may not have thought of.
Expecting a child to perform better by berating them and being condescending will not work in public education.
So why would it with a child’s parents?