Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek Sutton
Well it is more of a black eye for hockey parents then it is for minor hockey but the two go hand in hand anytime there is a controversy. He just seems to be another mouthpiece "celebrity" dumping on parents. For him to say what is right and what is wrong has no mre value then if I said it. If a kid dreams of playing in the NHL and his parents are going to do everything they can(within reason) to make that happen good for them. Parents have to look out for what is best for their kid because no one else looks out for them.
He was also the first to criticize the coaching of USA hockey after they lossed in the 2006 Olympics as his wife was cut from the team earlier in the year (thanks wikipedia).
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Not everyone knows the line of "within reason".
And no, parents aren't the only ones looking out for their kids. Volunteers are giving their time SPECIFICALLY for the kids. And, believe it or not, may be able to give some advice that you, as the parent, may not.
The teacher vs coach scenario is about as close as analogy that you can put on it. But most Canadians know at least a little bit about hockey. Any parent that wasn't fluent in it before their kid started playing generally are after a few seasons. Whereas, parents may know a lot about 1 or 2 of the subjects their kid is taking, but not much about the others. And so, there is less instance of overbearing parents (although I'm sure it exists for teachers plenty).
But I think what some parents miss is that their kids getting away from them and learning from other people is part of growing. It's one of the reasons they don't let parents coach beyond a certain level (beyond obvious bias and whatnot). How do you expect your kid to grow in a game, or life in general, if you the parent, is the only person they learn from? There's things they'll learn from friends, the opposite sex, teachers, other kid's parents, and coaches. Don't be hurt or insulted when they learn something from someone that's not you, even if it seems counter to something you know or grew up with. Things change, faster now than ever, if you're not open to allowing your kid to move with those changes, you hold them back.
The best point that Ferraro makes is in regards to it being the kids choice. If the kid wants to do extra work, extra ice, summer hockey, etc... all the power to them and full kudos to the parents for supporting it. If the kid is constantly pushed, doing things to make mom/pop happy rather than themselves, and trying to be something that they're just not, is when there are problems. Kids should feel safe enough to be able to tell their parents that they've had enough of something, whether that's piano lessons or hockey.
I have no problem with parents supporting a kids dream to go all the way, but support them with finances, encouragement and the knowledge that it takes incredible work and sacrifice, rather than with cries to coaches, pressure and hysterics.