Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/743352
6 Your child's hockey experience will be influenced by many factors, but nothing will influence that experience more than you. As a parent, you are the most influential figure in your child's development, both as a hockey player and as a person. Embrace that opportunity. HOCKEY PARENTS Remember: + Let kids be kids. Fun should be paramount. + Be supportive. + Be disciplined. Manage your emotions and set a good example that teaches your child to do the same. + Be positive, and when adversity comes, be constructive not destructive. If you must be critical, don't get personal. Direct your comments at the action, not the person. + Be proactive. Getting involved as a volunteer or coach in your association can give you an even greater influence on your child's hockey experience. And as a parent, being a proactive communicator with coaches and admin- istrators can help avoid frustration and conflict. + Your child's coach is likely a volunteer, and often also a parent, donating their time to help your child. While criticism might be appropriate, it should be done constructively and through appropriate channels. + Be respectful, especially in situations of disagreement or conflict. + Don't bully or harass. Speak out if you see bullying or harassing behavior from others. + Focus on the process, not the outcome, and teach your child to do the same. + Kids learn best by doing. + Praise your child's effort more often than their performance. Studies show it helps them better develop the confidence to meet new challenges and overcome obstacles. + Keep hockey in perspective. Maintain a healthy balance of hockey and non-hockey activities. Encourage your child to be well-rounded. + Enjoy the youth hockey experience with your child. Life moves fast and time passes quickly. Soon your child will be grown and you'll wish you could return to these days, if just for a moment. So savor these seasons, don't rush them. Make the experience one that you'll remember fondly together years from now. WHAT TO EXPECT AS A HOCKEY PARENT AS A PARENT, YOU ARE THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT