Concluding Pep Talk
Let’s go!! Let’s execute the plays in the playbook.
We can stop acting like idiots in the stands.
We can inspire our kids to be confident and humble at the same time.
We can truly demonstrate that we love and affirm our kids regardless of their athletic performance.
We can be forward-thinking in helping our kids to understand a holistic definition of success that is focused on the long term.
Incorporating our faith, we know that there isn’t pressure on us to see our self-worth as parents based on the social media posts of our kids with a trophy.
We can play instrumental roles in shaping our kids’ character.
Maybe as a result of parenting for character development in youth sports, your daughter will one day feel dejected because she was overlooked for a well-deserved promotion at work. But because you as a parent encouraged her to be resilient after a season-ending injury in volleyball, she didn’t quit her career. Instead she persevered and ultimately was promoted several times en route to becoming the CEO.
Maybe as a result of parenting for character development in youth sports, your son will be facing a difficult moment in his marriage. He remembers how you asked for forgiveness many years ago during his soccer season. He then apologizes to his wife, changes his actions, and a marriage is saved.
Maybe as a result of parenting for character development in youth sports, your daughter will volunteer to lead a community initiative focused on helping the marginalized in society. She subconsciously felt compelled to help because she saw how encouraging teammates who weren’t very talented could change their outlook.
Maybe as a result of parenting for character development in youth sports, your son will be in a leadership role. Drawing from the values you instilled during his youth sports journey, he approaches this role with humility. Instead of seeking personal glory, he fosters collaboration and inspires his team to achieve success collectively. His leadership ultimately leads THE TEAM to find a cure for cancer.
For certain, as a result of parenting for character development in youth sports, your son or daughter will be a better person. In the process of shaping your kids’ character, you can be transformed in the process. Because you are on theirteam, you don’t need to seek recognition or keep a tally of your parenting achievements. As your kid transitions into different life stages, you can move forward confidently as a mom, dad or guardian knowing that your support has become a silent force that positively influences your kids’ choices, actions, and interactions with others.
Adult life is complicated enough for us. It won’t get any easier for our kids. Instilling character development in our kids is a must-win. With our Conduct, Humility, Affirmation, Mindset, and Perspective in youth sports, we can do this. We must do this. May our words and actions, anchored around character development, echo in youth sports’ arenas and fields everywhere. The world needs our CHAMPs! Let’s go!!!
About the author
Kevin Anselmo is the founder of Experiential Communications, a marketing/communications consulting company. He also co-founded Championing Character LLC to help youth hone their character development and leadership skills through sports.
Kevin is a basketball coach for the Gulf Coast Heat (for homeschooled students) and the Suncoast Sparks travel basketball team. He previously held communications roles for the International Baseball Federation in Switzerland and FIBA (basketball) Europe in Germany, where he covered competitions around the world.
In 2022, he authored the book Reframing Career Success: Picture Your Significance at Work from a Christian Perspective. Kevin resides in Sarasota, Florida, with his wife and two sons.
READ PREVIOUS CHAPTER, PLAY #5: P - PERSPECTIVE
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