http://varsityparenting.com/2009/10/family-vacations-and-the-high-school-athlete-2/ Raising a Smarter, Stronger, Safer Highschool Athlete Mon, 14 May 2012 19:04:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://varsityparenting.com/2009/10/family-vacations-and-the-high-school-athlete-2/comment-page-1/#comment-14 maggie Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:45:38 +0000 http://varsityparenting.com/?p=244#comment-14 I agree that there really isn't a great answer to this one, though setting expectations prior to the season with your child, your immediate and extended family, and the coach will help. Also....probably important to think about, as a parent, the type of attitude you display in response to this issue. I've been guilty of misdirecting my frustration at my child/athlete rather than the situation---acting like the crying 3 year old on the beach that you described. That certainly doesn't help the situation! I have learned that rather than thinking of it as having to 'give-up' holiday or school vacation time, to think of it as a gift of staying together, saving some money for a trip at a different time. There is psychological literature (I'll have to look for a reference) that more you invest in your child's athletic commitment (either financial or time), the greater your expectation may be for him/her to perform, the greater the expectation they place on themselves. This can become unhealthy and needs to be kept in check. I agree that there really isn’t a great answer to this one, though setting expectations prior to the season with your child, your immediate and extended family, and the coach will help. Also….probably important to think about, as a parent, the type of attitude you display in response to this issue. I’ve been guilty of misdirecting my frustration at my child/athlete rather than the situation—acting like the crying 3 year old on the beach that you described. That certainly doesn’t help the situation! I have learned that rather than thinking of it as having to ‘give-up’ holiday or school vacation time, to think of it as a gift of staying together, saving some money for a trip at a different time. There is psychological literature (I’ll have to look for a reference) that more you invest in your child’s athletic commitment (either financial or time), the greater your expectation may be for him/her to perform, the greater the expectation they place on themselves. This can become unhealthy and needs to be kept in check.

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