If you’re a soccer mom or dad, please read Nine Things Parents Don’t Get About Kids and Sport. I was floored by Tip #1 “During car rides to games or practice, kids don’t want you to tell them how to do this or that. Kids are thinking or respond:  “I am not stupid,” or “I know how to play the sport I play.”

Gulp.  Guilty!  Now that our daughter is in travel soccer, we have up to an hour to discuss what she would like to improve and focus on for the day’s game.  She’s polite, but resistant.  Now, in our defense, we don’t set our agenda as hers, but merely ask her what she has chosen to focus on.  Yet, this alone appears to be a tortuous conversation for her.

Tips 2-9 are just as valuable.  If you’re a soccer parent - or parent of any other sport-kid, I’d love to her your feedback.  Do you agree with these tips?

America has chosen our next President, but the lessons we can teach our children continue.  Beyond discussing the voting process, now we have two fine examples of good sportsmanship. I was impressed with the speeches of both candidates, one of acceptance and one of defeat.  How I wish every kid who plays sports could win and lose as graciously as Obama and McCain!

First, Obama accepted his win for the greater good, no grandstanding, no public victory dance.  He appeared to realize the magnitude of the moment and was humbled by it.  McCain’s speech conceding to Obama was just as eloquent.  No pouting, no charges of unfair treatment, no public trash-talking.  Again, humility.

Whether it be how our children play board games, approach a student council race, or conduct themselves in team sports - let’s teach them how two men devoted the last two years to this outcome and both walked away winners.