Six Words

My mom shared this article with me last week and I don't want to forget the advice so I'm blogging about it so I can go back to it and keep reminding myself!

Based on psychological research, the three healthiest statements moms and dads can make as [kids] perform are:

Before the Competition:  

Have fun.

Play hard.

I love you.

After the competition:

Did you have fun?

I’m proud of you.

I love you.

It gets even better. Researchers Bruce Brown and Rob Miller asked college athletes what their parents said that made them feel great and brought them joy when they played sports. Want to know the six words they most want to hear their parents say?

“I love to watch you play.”

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What are the words I constantly hear my husband say to the kids? I love to watch you play.

He nailed it....he says it all the time. I personally probably have never said it. I say "good game" or "I like it when you did this..." or "I'm proud of you" or "great game, now let's rush home, have supper, and get ready for bed...".  But, it made me feel so good to know that amidst the competition and drive to be the best while balancing the desire to lift our kids up and make them feel good no matter how they played....maybe we are saying the right words....

Thanks, mom, for the reminder. And, thanks to my husband for knowing how to feed our kids' self-confidence and love for the game.