Toxic Parents & How To Fix Them

Over the years, I have witnessed a lot of parents who ruin softball for their daughters. From being
overbearing, loud and some out right disrespectful.  I have friends whose parents have pushed them
so hard that they quit playing. I also have friends who do not want there parents to come to games, because they are ashamed by how they act.  Today, we are going to take a look at the different types
of toxic parents, and how you can put an end to their toxic behavior.

                                    Do your parents make you feel like this?

The Nag 

These parents will make a girl want to quit softball. All these parents do is nag, nag, nag.  Not to

be disrespectful, but your daughter does not need to hear your nagging.  Softball is supposed to be

fun. Athletes are not perfect and P.S. neither are you. The more you nag, the less your daughter will 

respond and the less she will want you around. . . Blah!

The Screamer
These parents are the loudest in the stands. Not only are they loud, but they yell inappropriate things. These parents usually talk smack, and may get into it with the parents of your opponents. The screamer will call out the umpire on percived bad calls. Worse case, the screamer attacks your coach. . . Yikes!

My Kids The Best
It's great when parents believe in their daughters abilities. However, you know the parent who thinks
their daughter is the best player on the team. These parents brag about there daughters skills, point
out the other players errors, and ultimately question the coach about there daughters playing time. In
the parents mind, their daughter should never come out of the game, and she should be given the game ball every tournament . . . Yuk!

The Chronic Team Jumper 

I don't care where you live, the softball community is smaller than percived and a tight-knit group. There are always parents who will never be happy. These parents are negative and create drama.
They jump from one team to the next, blaming the team, the coach or the other players when in
reality, they're the problem . . . Eww!

The Cancer 

This parent is the worst kind! They are negative and will spread bad energy to everyone and anyone
who will listen. Unfortunately, these type of parents corrupt their kids, and put divsion between themselves and their teammates. . . Ouch!

The Drinkers (And I dont mean water) 
These are the type of parents who think it's okay to drink at practice/tournaments. Tournaments are
just an opportunity for them to party. This behavior gives the team a bad repuation and embarrasses their kid. Im not saying that you can't have fun, but there's a time and place for everything. . . Burp!

        Time To Put Your Parents In Check . . . For Good

1. Be honest and tell your parents that their behavior has to change, and why.
2. Speak from your heart, and how there behavior makes you and others feel.
3. Block them out - you're a young adult and have a mind of your own.
4. You want to surround yourself with positive people, ask your parents to be part of that group.
5. Remind them that your a collective package & coaches don't want girls with negative parents.

                                       For Extreme Cases Only

If you have taken the steps above and your parents behavior has not changed, than you need to 

resort to the some or all of the following advice.

1. Ask them, that if they come to your games, would they sit at a distance.
2. Ask them, if they're not going to be positive, don't say anything at all.
3. Tell them how you feel, and that they're ruining softball. 
4. Explain that you want them to be part of  your journey, and you need their suport.