I love playing sports and have been a fan since I was a child. It was something I shared with my father and siblings, going to Cleveland Indians games, and playing on teams in our local municipality. Here's some tips from Robert Bell on how sports can help you bond with your child.
Finding a way to bond with their children is one of the biggest concerns for many parents these days. With technology and busy days putting barriers between family members, it is a good idea to explore every possible bonding opportunity that is available.
Enjoying sports together is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of doing this. Why not start adding some sports to your family’s lives and see how it helps you all to feel an even stronger connection?
Have Fun Together
It can be easy to forget that having fun together is the most important benefit of getting out and getting some sporting action. Young kids in, particular, need to be encouraged to take part in something that really appeals to them.
From throwing a ball around in the park to organizing more structured games, there are many different approaches that you can take. It is important to consider the age and skill levels of everyone involved when working out which sport is going to be most enjoyable for the group.
Above all, the adults need to lead the way by relaxing and playing with a smile on their faces. Let the little ones see that this is something to be enjoyed as a family. In this way, they will look forward to future games more eagerly.
Support the Same Team
If you support a team then it makes sense to get your kids to root for them too, right? Yet, not all parents take the opportunity to encourage their children to get behind their team. If you do this, then just think about the great times you could share watching on the television or going to live games.
Whether you prefer to watch NFL games or are a big fan of a certain NBA or NHL team, cheering for the same team can bring you a shared passion. Even if you don’t support anyone just now, what about choosing one together?
If you currently like to bet on football games or any other sport, then you should have an idea what team could be right for your kids. They will want to see their favorites win a lot but seeing them lose now and then could also teach them some important lessons.
Pass on Some Valuable Skills
Do you have some sporting knowledge or skills that you can pass on? This is a terrific opportunity to help out your youngster and also to earn more of their respect.
There is no need for this to mean that you run formal training sessions or anything of the sort. It can be a much better idea to just drop in some tips here and there are the opportunity arises. Indeed, it has been suggested that advising them to visualize the outcome is the best approach.
Remember that this isn’t about being too harsh on them and appearing to criticize everything they do when playing. Instead, it is a chance to pass on some useful information in a friendly, loving way.
It Is Cheap and Easy
Finally, let’s not forget that playing or watching sports is a cheap and easy way to spend some quality time as a family. All you need is some spare time and a bit of basic equipment such a ball, a bat, or maybe a racket.
You can then head out to enjoy some great times whenever it suits you. You won’t need to spend a fortune to do this, although an occasional treat such as a trip to a big game can help to keep everyone smiling.
Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy some of the highest quality opportunities to bond with your child by adding some sport to your lives.
See my disclaimer.