by janetedgette | Jul 9, 2017 | Boys and sports, Kids who are afraid to play sports, Kids who don't like sports, Male athletics, Masculinity, Nonathletic boys, Sportsmanship
You’re getting ready to load your son and his gear into the car and notice that he’s gone back into the house for what must be his fifteenth trip to the bathroom. When he comes out, his eyes are red and watery. He tells you that he doesn’t feel well....
by janetedgette | Mar 7, 2017 | Boys, Boys and sports, Bullying, Coaching kids and teens, Kids who are afraid to play sports, Kids who don't like sports, Male athletics, Masculinity, Nonathletic boys, Parent-Child communication, Parenting, Self-esteem, Sportsmanship
You are teaching him… that you respect him, even if you don’t understand his choices. that you will listen closely to what he says and take it at face value. that it pays to speak up. that he doesn’t have to disguise his real feelings in order to gain or...
by janetedgette | Dec 10, 2016 | Boys and sports, Coaching kids and teens, Masculinity, Nonathletic boys, Self-esteem, Sportsmanship
I’ve never been a boy, but boy do I know all about being the last kid picked! I was always non-athletic. (In fact, until very recently, I still described myself as “one of the most non-athletic people you’ll ever meet.”) I wasn’t interested in sports and I wasn’t good...
by janetedgette | Feb 9, 2016 | Boy behavior, Boys and sports, Masculinity, Nonathletic boys, Parenting young children, Sportsmanship
Here are some of the things you’ll hear or see from boys who become anxious when they think they might have to get involved in some game, or get stuck being the only one sitting it out. They may complain of bellyaches, headaches, or general “I don’t feel well” on gym...
by janetedgette | Aug 3, 2014 | Boy behavior, Boys, Boys and sports, Family life, Parent-Child communication, Parenting, Parenting young children, Sportsmanship
This is the last in a series of six articles about raising boys to be good sports. I wouldn’t consider this series on good sportsmanship to be complete without saying at least a few words about family game nights—those hotbeds of rivalry disguised as interludes of...
by janetedgette | Jun 28, 2014 | Boys, Boys and sports, Coaching kids and teens, Nonathletic boys, Self-esteem, Sportsmanship
This is the fifth in a series of six articles about raising boys to be good sports. I’ve yet to meet anyone who actually played better, ran faster, or threw more accurately as a result of being humiliated by his coach. I’ve known plenty of kids who’ve tried harder...
