Re: Whats up with these kids?
Have been involved in coaching and scouting and church youth stuff as a parent. It is always harder to deal with "other" peoples kids and "other" kids parents. It is easy to help when everyone is behaving and everyone behaving well rarely happens. To be a leader you have to be able to take the bad with the good. Usually more good than bad happens, unfortunately it is the bad that you remember. It is important to have good helpers (that is what I always tried to be). When my oldest son was in Cub Scouts we (they) had a rule that every parent had to take a turn leading an activity at a meeting. In Boy Scouts the leader encouraged parents to take an active part in both the meetings and other activities. While coaching we always encouraged parents who showed up to watch practice to get involved with kids other than their own. It usually worked. Most parents responded well. There are always parents who won't, don't or "can't" help. One time the dad of the worst kid came to the meeting to help and spent the whole time sitting in a corner by himself reading. It helps to have activities where kids can run and jump and shout. Races of different kinds. Competition is great for channeling hyperactivity. Always remember you are the adult and you are in charge. I always made sure my own children understood what I excpected of them before a meeting or a practice or a game. They would usually help me out in their own way. Lots of good memories of the good times.
Have been involved in coaching and scouting and church youth stuff as a parent. It is always harder to deal with "other" peoples kids and "other" kids parents. It is easy to help when everyone is behaving and everyone behaving well rarely happens. To be a leader you have to be able to take the bad with the good. Usually more good than bad happens, unfortunately it is the bad that you remember. It is important to have good helpers (that is what I always tried to be). When my oldest son was in Cub Scouts we (they) had a rule that every parent had to take a turn leading an activity at a meeting. In Boy Scouts the leader encouraged parents to take an active part in both the meetings and other activities. While coaching we always encouraged parents who showed up to watch practice to get involved with kids other than their own. It usually worked. Most parents responded well. There are always parents who won't, don't or "can't" help. One time the dad of the worst kid came to the meeting to help and spent the whole time sitting in a corner by himself reading. It helps to have activities where kids can run and jump and shout. Races of different kinds. Competition is great for channeling hyperactivity. Always remember you are the adult and you are in charge. I always made sure my own children understood what I excpected of them before a meeting or a practice or a game. They would usually help me out in their own way. Lots of good memories of the good times.
