H.A.George North Adams Little league

                              Your Role As A Little League Parent

                              Local Little Leagues are entirely volunteer organizations. Each league depends on
                              adults like you to organize and conduct every aspect. Not only do adults serve as
                              administrators, volunteer coaches, and umpires they also help with field
                              maintenance, fund-raising, concessions, and numerous other special projects.

                              Your willingness to exchange time and effort for your child's benefit and enjoyment is
                              very important to the functioning of your local Little League. Cheering your daughter
                              or son on from the stands is one important way to be involved, but we invite you to do
                              even more by volunteering to help run your local Little League program.

                              Without a doubt, Little League is a family affair that gives parents and children a
                              common ground for spending time together. Whether you are coaching the players,
                              selling popcorn to the fans, or bringing soda for the team after the game, your family
                              will enjoy being a part of Little League in your community. Most of all, your will
                              appreciate the benefits of your enthusiasm and involvement in his or her activities.

                              When wining is kept in perspective, there is room for fun in the pursuit of victory or
                              more accurately, the pursuit of victory is fun. With your leadership Little League can
                              help your child learn to accept responsibilities, accept others and most of all, accept
                              her - or himself.
 

                              Keeping Winning in Perspective

                              Are you able to keep winning in perspective? You might answer with a confident yes,
                              but will you be able to do so when it is your child who is winning or losing, when your
                              child is treated a bit roughly by someone on the other team, or when the umpire
                              makes a judgment against your child? Parents are sometimes unprepared for the
                              powerful emotions they experience when watching their sons and daughters
                              compete.

                              One reason that parents' emotions run to high is that they want their children to do
                              well; it reflects on them. They also may believe that their children's failures are their
                              own. Parents need to realize that dreams of glory they have for their youngsters are
                              not completely unselfish, but they are completely human. Parents who are aware of
                              their own pride, who are even capable of being amused by their imperfections, can
                              keep themselves well under control.
 

                              Being a Model of Good Sportsmanship

                              Flying off the handle at games or straining relations with the coach or other parents
                              creates a difficult situation for your child. Just as you don't want your daughter or son
                              to embarrass you, don't embarrass your Little Leaguer.

                              It's no secret that kids imitate their parents. In addition, they absorb the attitudes
                              they think lie behind their parents' actions. As you go through the Little League
                              season with your child, be a positive role model. How can you expect your child to
                              develop a healthy perspective about competing and winning if you display an
                              unhealthy one? Remember Little league is supposed to be a fun experience for your
                              child, and one in which he or she will learn some sport skills. Winning will take care
                              of itself.

                              Some parents seem to abandon good principles of child rearing when their child is
                              participating in sports. However, just as your child's home, school, and religious
                              environment affect the type of person he or she will be, so does the sport
                              environment especially when your child is young. Remember this:

                              If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
                              If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
                              If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
                              If children live with praise, they learn to like themselves.
                              If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
                              If children live with recognition, they have to have a goal.
                              If children live with honesty, they learn what trust is.

                              Note: From "Great Projects Report," Baltimore Bulletin of Education,
                              1965-1966, 42 (3).
 

                              Parents' Checklist for Success

                              Here is a list of questions you should consider when your child begins playing Little
                              league. If you can honestly answer yes to each one, you will find little trouble ahead.

                              Can you share your son or daughter?

                              This means trusting the coach to guide your child's Little League experiences. It
                              means accepting the coach's authority and the fact that he or she may gain some of
                              your child's admiration that once was directed toward you.

                              Can you admit your shortcomings?

                              Sometimes we slip up as parents, our emotions causing us to speak before we
                              think. We judge our child too hastily, perhaps only to learn later the child's actions
                              were justified. It takes character for parents to admit they made a mistake and to
                              discuss it with their child.

                              Can you accept your child's disappointments?

                              Sometimes being a parent means being a target for a child's anger and frustration.
                              Accepting your child's disappointment also means watching your play poorly during
                              a game when all of his or her friends succeed, or not being embarrassed into anger
                              when your 10-year-old breaks into tears after a failure. Keeping your frustration in
                              check will help you guide your son or daughter through disappointments.

                              Can you accept your child's triumphs?

                              This sound much easier than it often is. Some parents, not realizing it, may become
                              competitive with their daughter or son, especially if the youngster receives
                              considerable recognition. When a child plays well in a game, parents may dwell on
                              minor mistakes, describe how an older brother or sister did even better, or boast
                              about how they played better many years ago.

                              Can you give your child some time?

                              Some parents are very busy, even though they are interested in their child's
                              participation and want to encourage it. Probably the best solution is never to promise
                              more than you can deliver. Ask about your child's Little league experiences, and
                              make every effort to watch at least some games during the season.

                              Can you let your child make her or his own decisions?

                              Decisions making is an essential part of young person's development, and it is a real
                              challenge to parents. It means offering suggestions and guidance but finally, within
                              reasonable limits, letting the child go his or her own way. All parents have ambitions
                              for their children, but parents must accept the fact that they cannot mold their
                              children's lives. Little League offers parents a minor initiation into the major process
                              of letting go.