Bad Sportsmanship

We all want our child to learn good sportsmanship when playing something competitive. However, on the sidelines is usually the complete opposite of this. As parents or even role models. We should set the example that we want our children to follow. It is amazing to me that there is so much hostility and anger that stems from adults that are spectators of the sport. You can not possibly think that it is okay for you to act in an immature way and then expect your child to act like the adult, and shake hands with the people that they just competed against. Children live what they learn. This starts in the home.

Encourage the child to try his/her best and to always play fairly. Explain that it is the team that makes the difference. If they played a good game, congratulate them. If it wasn't their best, keep encouraging them and be positive. Don't let them see you being a "bad sport" this will eventually cause them to be a "bad sport" as well. You set the examples that our children follow and they look up to us adults to help mold them into good members of society. Be a POSITIVE role model, not a NEGATIVE one.