KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ) – Video of an all-out brawl between parents of youth wrestlers in Kimberly last weekend has sparked discussion on what effect that has on kids in sports.
Psychologists say parents overreacting at games and sporting events may cause kids to want to quit playing altogether.
Dr. Frank Cummings of Psychology Associates of the Fox Cities says that defeats the purpose.
“My experience has been that parents have no clue the impact that they have on their kids,” said Cummings.
He says putting pressure on kids is bad enough, but parents have a tendency to engage in worse behavior.
“One of the most unhelpful things a parent can do is to be critical of a coach or coaches, referee or player.”
He says parents need to take the pressure off and set the example.
“Our kids don’t walk up to us and say ‘please teach me how to deal with my anger’. What they do is they do something that makes us angry and then they turn around and look at us and say ‘that’s how I should deal with things’,” Cummings explained.
Cummings says negative reactions takes the fun out of the game for kids and parents should let coaches coach and officials officiate.
