HOW TO BE A SUPPORTIVE PARENT

1. HOW TO BE A SUPPORTIVE PARENT • Support you child and attend as many contests as possible. • Avoid putting pressure on your offspring to start, score, or be the star of the team. • Support the coach in public around other parents and fans. • Avoid speaking negatively about the coach and players in front of your child. It may create a major barrier in the child’s hope for improvement in the sport. • Understand the ultimate purpose of athletics. It exists as an integral part of the total educational mission of the program, and participation is a priviledge and not a right. • Serve as good role models for the athletes, and other fans. • Volunteer to help with projects and committees. • Appreciate the opportunity that your child is receiving in our athletic program. This includes the enormous time and effort provided by the coach. • Attend the pre-season Parent’s Meeting. • Serve as beacons of good sportsmanship. • Show respect to everyone involved in Upland Pop Warner – the coach, athletes, fans, officials, and administrators. • Follow the chain of command at Upland Pop Warner when you have a concern. • Express concerns and questions in a courteous and civil manner, and do it at the right time and in the proper setting. • Understand that the goals of the team and program are more important than the hopes and dreams you have for your child. • Avoid constant and chronic complaining. IF THE SHOE FITS Please don’t curse that boy down there, he is my son….you see. He’s only just a boy you know, he means the world to me. I did not raise my son, dear fan, for you to call him names. He may not be a superstar, and these are Pop Warner games. So, please don’t knock those boys down there, they do the best they can. They’ve never tried to lose a game, they’re just boys…and you’re a man. This game belongs to them, you see, you’re really just a guest. They do not need a fan that gripes, they need the very best. If you have nothing nice to say, please leave the boys alone. And if you’ve forgotten your manners…why don’t you stay at home! So, please don’t curse those boys down there, each one’s his parents son. And win or lose or tie, you see, to us…they’re number one!!!