Parents, Put Fun First

1. I maintain a "Fun is No. 1" attitude.

2. I treat officials, coaches, my kids, their schoolmates and their opponents with respect and avoid ridicule or sarcasm.

3. I praise my kids, their schoolmates and opponents just for participating, regardless of their athletic skills.

4. I remember to look for positives with my kids, their schoolmates and their opponents.

5. I remain calm when my kids or their schoolmates make a mistake and help them learn from their mistakes.

6. I remind my kids and their schoolmates not to get down on themselves when things don't go well.

7. I try not to take myself too seriously when it comes to my involvement in youth sports, reminding myself that there is life beyond youth sports.

8. I remind myself and my kids to laugh and keep a sense of humor.

9. I emphasize teamwork in school sports with my kids, teaching them to think "we" instead of "me".

10. I teach my kids by giving them a good example of good sportsmanship: winning without gloating and losing without complaining.