Parents,
We are near the end of the season and I am sure you and your kids are looking forward to playoffs, the battle to make the playoffs or just trying to finish the season in a positive note. I wanted to touch on three things that I have always stressed to my teams every year and were stressed to me all the way from when I was a child to the NHL. They are:
1) Discipline
2) Hard work
3) Sacrifice
When I look at those three attributes it is easy to show the kids through the game of hockey how each of those values can carry them through not only hockey, but life as well.
When considering hard work, discipline and sacrifice I thought who better to reinforce those values than the parents.
How can a parent help?
Discipline
It’s easy for a coach to tell a player to stay out of the box or not take a penalty, but that is not what we are talking about. How can parents show discipline during the hockey hours?
Hard Work
Sacrifice
Everyone knows how much hockey parents give up for their kids so they can play a game that they love. But the bigger picture is how we can teach them life lessons.
Parents can reinforce all of the life lessons through hockey through their actions and their words. A sign I saw on Twitter made me realize how important our role is as parents. Here is what was on the sign:
Your child's success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are. But having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and tries their best IS a direct reflection of YOUR parenting.
That is the goal each parent should have with his or her child.
Enjoy the experiences that hockey provides. My son went to Quebec three years ago and doesn't remember the wins or losses, but he can tell you all about the sledding, snow park, pond hockey, ice castle and all of the other things he did with his billet. Enjoy the game and your child because they will be grown up before you know it.
See you at the rink!
Craig Johnson Director of Coaching Anaheim Junior Ducks