Watching your kid play

[Anonymous]

Do you get stressed watching your DC’s games? How do you cope with it? Inget stressed because my kid is always nervous during his games and that ends up effecting his performance. Then he is upset about his performance too. I don’t think that me not watching is fair to him either. I keep telling myself.. its just a game..

[Anonymous]

My son pitches and I do get nervous. My husband does not as he says he’s not the one pitching. Sometimes I look down when he’s delivering a pitch.

[Anonymous]

How old and what sport? Generally a kid should not be nervous at the younger ages- if he is, I’d question if the team is a good fit for him. Assuming parents are not pressuring him (sometimes that is the issue).

I’ve felt a little nervous for my kid at times (for example if he is pitching in the last inning of a tie game in high school). I usually get up and take a little walk.

[Anonymous]

Yes- I have 3 kids that all play high level travel /club sports plus HS sports ( including a goalie). I am always nervous. It is just a game and I don’t criticize or critique, but I get nervous (and stay nervous) most of my weekends!

[Anonymous]

I’ve been shocked that I’m nervous as they get older, especially when my kids are pitching.

[Anonymous]

Individual sports only I get nervous

[Anonymous]

Of course as parents we get stressed. Not a big deal. What is a big deal, to me, is that he is always stressed. He sounds like a walking ball of anxiety. Does he want to play?

[Anonymous]

I have musicians, not athletes, but I always talk with a friend before big performances if I have worries. This particular friend does the same with me. We say to each other that we do that so we can project total confidence to our kids, even when we're a ball of nerves inside.

[Anonymous]

I’m a catchers mom and I do get nervous. I also irrationally feel somewhat responsible when she doesn’t do well, since it’s such a solo sport at times (striking out with bases loaded, dropping a third strike). But then I remind myself I’m not playing, my kid only needs my support not my anxiety, and this is all supposed to be fun.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been nervous when one of my kids is pitching because neither has much experience. Both want to do well and put in extra practice, but it’s still a bit nerve wracking. I’ve also been nervous for them at tryouts.

[Anonymous]

OP here- the sport is basketball. First time doing a competitive team. But he was also stressed playing rec. He is the kind of person who has stage fright and is very aware of people watching him. Which is why it was necessary for us that he keeps playing to someone get over some of this anxiety. But at the same time it makes us stressed too when he misses his shots etc. But have to remind ourselves that this is just a game and it’s going to be okay. There are other benefits of playing.. etc etc

[Anonymous]

Another mom of a pitcher and I get super anxious watching him pitch. He’s 17 now and he started pitching at 13 - it never seems to get better. I now do breathing exercises when he is pitching and I do get up and walk farther away so it doesn’t feel so immediate.

[Anonymous]

I don’t. My oldest two are 8 and 10 so still pretty little. They’re both better athletes so far than either my wife or I ever was so it’s all gravy I guess.

[Anonymous]

Yes I get anxious and I hate it because I dont want to pass that on to my son but I know I do. Im working on it!

[Anonymous]

I get stressed out in an individual sport and can barely watch. I think it's because I also did that sport so I can easily pick up mistakes. In team sports I am surprisingly relaxed.