Parents! Children love you watching them play tennis competition. Your behavior at competition makes a big difference in their experience. As a suggestion try the following practical tips.

• Take the time before, during, and after your child’s practices and competitions to reflect on your parenting behaviors
• Ask your spouse or partner, or other parents to provide feedback on your behavior around competitions.

WHAT CHILDREN DO WANT FROM PARENTS

Before competition

• Helping athlete be physically prepared
• Attend to child’s needs for mental preparation

During competition

• Etiquette and compliance with guidelines
• Positive tone and body language
• Control over emotions
• Praising good performance
• Encouragement after poor execution

After competition

• Positive feedback on effort and attitude
• Realistic feedback
• Give feedback when child is ready for it

WHAT CHILDREN DON’T WANT FROM PARENTS

Before competition

• Comments focused on child's performance
• Communicating expectations about winning
• Tactical advice with no knowledge

During competition

• Intimidation towards opponents
• Drawing attention towards themsleves
• Criticising/coaching child or team
• Disputes with officials, coaches or parents
• Contradicting coach instructions
• Repeating instructions
• Booing opposing team

After competition

• Criticism of performance
• Blaming outcomes on referee or others
• Focusing on negatives of performance