I’ve come to the conclusion that there are worst things than losing a wrestling match. As wrestling parents, we want to see our children succeed.

I think as parents, we push our children too much and our expectations are too high. The most important time for our kids to be in sports in middle school and high school.

Wrestling is a great sport to build self-confidence, but we need to realize that kids get involved with wrestling because they want to have fun.

As parents, we walk a fine line between motivating our child and keeping them excited about wrestling.

Don’t Burn Your Kid Out

In a previous article, I wrote about why parents should not coach their child. Most kids that start wrestling will quit before high school. That is because the sport of wrestling is a tough sport by its very nature. In fact, most kids that start wrestling will quit within two years after they join wrestling.

When you have a child that enjoys wrestling, you should nurture the love of the sport.

Parents need to take a kid that enjoys wrestling and stay positive with that child.. even when they lose a match. Don’t be that parent that burns their kid out of wrestling, because you pushed them too much.

There are Worse Things Than Losing a Match

As kids grow into teenagers, I now realize that there are worse things in life than losing a wrestling match.

They are exposed to a lot of bad influences in life. Some of these influences could have been avoided if they had stayed in sports. Maybe if a kid had stayed in sports, he/she may have had friends that were a good influence.

Keep Your Kid Excited about Wrestling

How to keep your kid excited about wrestling? I recently read an article on ThePostGame.com about nightmare sports parents. The article has some great suggestions on how to be a positive role in your children’s sports.

I have been a wrestling parent for twelve years. My son is wrestling heavyweight and I’ve learned a lot of lessons about being a better wrestling parent. I don’t think I have all the answers, but I have some suggestions.

Avoid Criticism

You should avoid criticizing your kid for losing a wrestling match. Your better off encouraging your wrestler after a tough match. Your child is fully aware that they lost. Every wrestler will lose a match at some point. Most wrestlers will lose more than they win when they first start wrestling.

If your kid enjoys wrestling, they will learn more if the parent isn’t tearing them down. Staying positive will go a long way towards keeping your child excited about wrestling.

Wait a Day

If your child didn’t do well, wait at least a day before talking with him or her. Don’t even try to talk to your kid about a loss right after a match or on the way home. After a match, your child will ignore you.

If you want to be a winning parent, You will get a better reception from your child when their mind isn’t in competition mode. If you do talk to your kid, keep it positive and short. Tell them what they did well. Then quickly show them where they can improve.

Be Realistic

Every parent wants to think their kid is a stud wrestler. A great wrestler spends years honing their skills. You need to be realistic about your child’s current wrestling abilities.

There will be matches where the other wrestler is better. In this case, you should avoid focusing on a loss. Your better off focusing on how to keep improving.

Stay Updated

I think staying positive with our kids will help keep our kids on the wrestling mat. It is awesome that wrestling parents want to help their kids.

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