The world of youth soccer can be overwhelming. Parents, just as difficult as it is on you at times with training and games, which uniform to wear, do my kids have water? or whatever else that is needed. It is equally, if not more difficult for your kids. And you know what? That is a good thing!
I remember the first few nights when we brought our son home from the hospital after he was born. I was so worried about him that I woke up every time I heard the faintest noise. Is he okay? Did he fall out of his crib? Is he still breathing? I checked on him every time. He was fine.
I had to force myself not to do the same things when we started sports. Does he have water? Does he have both uniforms? Where are his shinguards? After 1 or 2 practices, I said 'this is for the birds.'
So I let him fail. I let him forget his water, shinguards, and even his uniform. It has happened on more than one occasion and I am fairly confident he has forgotten all of them at the same time. He is fine. And that is a good thing!
More importantly, I am fine. Don't get me wrong, I remind him what he needs and once in a while, I may even fill his water bottle, but I let him take care of the little things. I don't stress out about my son (or daughter) not having their cleats. I let them stress out and deal with it. My kids have trained in tennis shoes, borrowed cleats, and even used a pair a size or two small from the lost and found. And yes, they are fine.
I let them fail (and succeed) on their own with the little things. And at the end of the day, they get 100% of the reprimands (and rewards) for their actions. I get to see them grow right in front of my eyes. It is sometimes very hard and frustrating, but I am seeing some results. If they are like me, I am sure they will not master this...well probably ever.
Kids, why do the little things matter? Who cares if I wear the training gear or Barcelona jersey. Clothes don't make the player. Right? Big deal if I get to a game 15 minutes before instead of 30 or 45. I am here when it counts. You know what? You are right. Clothes don't make the player. Being on time probably won't affect how you play.
The little things may not affect you at all, however they do affect others. Showing commitment to the team by being on time (or even early) is massive in earning the trust of your coaches and teammates. Wearing the proper training gear is a small action in showing your teammates that you are willing to put aside your wants for the good of the team. The little things matter because they show others who you are. The little things matter because they take effort. The type of effort that forces you to make a choice that shows what is important.
When you add up all the little things, they begin to become the big things - ATTITUDE, EFFORT, GRIT, TALENT, KNOWLEDGE, and more. Hearing you need to change your attitude can be intimidating. Where to begin? Start with the little things. Make an easy choice to wear the proper gear. Simple. Choose to be on time for practices and games. Simple. Choose to not cut a single corner in laps and to touch every line in shuttle runs. A little tougher, but you have already accomplished so much.
Parents, let your kids handle the little things so they learn to fail, but just as important, so they learn to succeed. Kids, take care of the little things so you show to others who you are, to build trust with your team, and to build confidence in yourself. And kids, taking care of the little things now is a lot easier than dealing with the BIG THINGS later.
