Written by Bruce Beaton
Recommended for parents. $18
As the mother of four young children who ALL love sports, I could hardly put this book down. Often there is only negative talk around organized sports and children. Bruce Beaton, on-the-other-hand, reminds us of the benefits of organized sport. Things like leadership skills, competition, teamwork, dedication, healthy living, mastery of skill and goal-setting are all discussed in this well-written parenting book.
Don’t get me wrong, I am overtly opposed to insisting on children playing a sport they are not interested in. Many times it turns a child off all sports completely! (Fortunately, our children want to play everything going. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in the day and so much money in the pot!) This book reinforces the decisions we have made as parents to enroll our children in sports that they love and want to master. Although they may seem trivial, we are advised to do the little things that matter: attend as many practices and games as possible, pay attention while he/she plays, be punctual, hug often and focus on your child’s approach not his/her talent. By following his advice, you will succeed in raising a child who has great character and is one that coaches love to have on the team!
Beaton is a former CFL All-Star who played his first game of organized football at the age of twenty while attending Acadia University. His perseverance turned out to be more important than his skill in the early days proving that it takes more than ability to make it to the big leagues!
Bruce Beaton will be in Rothesay on May 29 for a clinic for all minor sports coaches. Call 848 1909 or email mcguire@nbnet.nb.ca for details.
