As a hockey mom, you play a critical role in your child’s hockey experience. You are not only their biggest supporter but also their confidant, chauffeur, and cheerleader. We share 5 keys to being a great hockey mom and helping your child have a positive experience with the game of hockey.
Why is Being a Great Hockey Mom Important?
Hockey moms sometimes get a bad rap. We are here to discuss avoiding that label and share the keys to being a great hockey mom. Having the keys to support your hockey player will help you improve your child’s hockey experience and build the relationship with your hockey player.
1. Be Supportive
One of the most important things you can do as a hockey mom is to be supportive of your child. Attend as many of their game as you can, cheering them on from the stands. Encourage your player to keep playing even when they face challenges. Show your child that you believe in them and their abilities.
Being supportive at games also includes the travel to and from the rink. Asking your child questions about what they are most looking forward to before the game and what they think about how the game went are positive ways of supporting your hockey player. Their answers will determine how you will support them and their developing love of the game.
2. Be a Good Role Model
As a hockey mom, you are a role model for your child. Model good behavior by being respectful and positive towards coaches, officials, other parents, and your own teammates. Show your child the importance of hard work dedication and teamwork. Teach them the value of a positive attitude whether they win or lose. Also, help your child learn how to handle setbacks and failures.
There are a lot of life lessons that can be learned through hockey and know that your child looks to you for guidance and approval.
3. Encourage Good Sportsmanship
Hockey can be competitive and intense at times, but good sportsmanship is critical to developing your child’s all-around athleticism. Encourage your child to respect their opponents, officials, and their own team whether they win or lose. Remind them that the most important thing is to have fun and play the game of hockey with integrity.
Yes, hockey is a game and it’s competitive but it needs to involve some fun. We don’t mean fun like being silly on the ice but off-ice sure why not. There are lots of great memories being made and having fun is an important part of the game.
Being a good sport is a great way to be supportive of your child’s team and yourself. Good sportsmanship goes for you as the hockey mom and your child.
4. Be Involved
As a hockey mom, it’s essential to be involved and engaged in your child’s hockey experience. Every mom has a different amount of time they can dedicate to the team. Make being involved a priority that works for your family and work schedule. Don’t overcommit but carve out some time to be involved. Being involved with your child’s team shows your child that you care and want to be a part of the team.
Being involved includes attending team meetings and communicating with the team manager or coaches. That doesn’t mean contacting the coach frequently. Your child’s coach will let the team know how they want to communicate with your child and you. Stay informed about their progress and upcoming events. Volunteer to help with team activities and team events. Be a part of a team carpool, there’s a lot of team bonding that happens coming and going to practice and games.
5. Be Engaged
Limit distractions so that you can be present. This means being off your cell phone, other than to take some pictures or videos. A kid who looks to see their mom watching them play is not excited that you are there if you are distracted with the phone.
There’s a fine line between being engaged and being overly engaged. Yelling, banging on the glass, and berating opponents or teammates are all distractions that build negative energy. Keeping things positive evey when it’s not going their way helps build resilience and love of the game.
Asking questions helps you engage with your child.
Here are some great questions to ask:
How did practice go?
What did your coach tell you to work on?
What was your favorite part about the game, tournament, practice, meeting…
What do you love most about your team?
What’s your favorite sport to play?
The hockey season is long and families spend a lot of time together. Lifelong friendships between players, parents and teams develop. Be a part of the awesome connections hockey provides.
These 5 Tips will help you on your way to being a great hockey mom! Whether this will be your first year or you are sending your child off to play college hockey, these tips are helpful ways to build your relationship with your child through the game of hockey.
A hockey mom of a grown hockey player, these tips are helpful. You know you have made it when your youth hockey player plays in the adult league. Follow us for more great youth hockey tips.