Teen Voice: It's really just a game
     June 09, 2011      By Zoey Rada   
I love sports. My family loves sports. My brother Zac is a great athlete. I'm working hard to become a great athlete and my sister is a wonderful dancer. My parents have watched us participate in physical activities since we were a very young age. They supported us from the time we hit from a two-foot baseball tee to hitting home runs at Cleveland field.

Kids from the age of 4 and even younger take part in activities and sometimes have parents that are putting too much pressure on them and forgetting about the real joy of the game. As a teenager that plays three sports, umpires, and supports other activities throughout the whole year, I turn my ear and notice parents getting on their kids for their simple mistakes more than I ever have before. Society has gotten much worse about this.

I umpire softball games for 8 year olds about twice a week and can't believe the amount of conflict between parents, kids, coaches and the umpires. Really? These are eight-year-old girls, and they are probably more concerned about what ice cream treat they are going to get after the game. According to money watch.com, only 2 percent of kids from every school go on to play a college sport, and only 3 percent of those athletes go on to be professionals.

From my past experiences, I would like to give parents some advice even though I am only a teenager. When supporting your kids in whatever activity they choose to be in, whether it’s singing in a play or being the point guard in bitty ball, always offer positive encouragement. When you’re encouraging your kids, tell them the positive things they did well, and then you could give them a few tips on ways to help improve their skills. Remember they do have coaches and instructors that are responsible for that.

My second tip is for you to be a positive role model. Give them someone to look up to even if it’s going out to your own backyard and playing catch or shooting a few hoops just to show them you will always be there to support them in something they love.

My final tip is make sure your kids try new activities and don’t pressure them into something they don’t want to do just because you participated in it back in the day. Make the activity enjoyable for your child and yourself. Whether you think you have the next Troy Tulowitski or Peyton Manning living under your roof, try to keep proper perspective for their benefit and yours.

Editor’s note: Zoey Rada is a rising junior at Scottsbluff High. She participates in basketball, track, softball, show choir, musical, and serves as junior class president. Her parents are Kara Rada and Dave Rada.

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