Welcome to FlipSide,the portal for parents. We will share information that we think you will find helpful .Do you want to know Brandi’s suggestions? Do you want to question our group of health professionals? Do you want to connect with other parents? You’re in the right place!
Here’s a question we’d like to ask you… what is appropriate sideline communication? Is it important to cheer? To correct mistakes? To point out to the coachs or refs what they can’t see?
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Hello Brandi,
I had a question for you. How would a parent deal with a major injury to their child. Both the physical and mental affects are hard on a dedicated player. My daughter fractured her spine and had to get major surgery to fix this. It ended up being a career ending injury and she has changed now that she is not able to play soccer anymore. She played pretty much everyday for over 13 years, right into college. I was asking to see a players perspective on the subject. Thanks for the input.
Posted: 07/03/2009 @ 10:29
I am sorry to hear about the injury to your daughter. Having a child now, I finally get what my mother used to say all the time about how I will understand the feelings you have for another, as soon as I have children your own. So, I get your pain and desire to understand what you should do at this juncture. I first want to make sure you understand that I am not a physician, or mental health specialist, so what you are about to receive is my opinion, and my opinion alone.
Here is what I best remember from the time when I had three major knee injuries and had to sit out for a combined number of years. First, I had very supportive parents and friends. And if I am reading into your question, your daughter is probably like me, driven, competitive and out there(not in a crazy way, but likes to invest herself in activities and new things). During the times I was out, I remember still going to training, still watching games, still doing the things that I liked to do when I wasn’t on the field (hanging out with my friends, going to the mall, movies, pool, anything). I inwardly liked my mom and dad to ask me to do things, but not in front of my friends(probably), so I would recommend offering options without pushing anything. They don’t like to be told what to do, so let them feel they came up with the idea or discovered it on their own. I admire my husband for his parenting skills because with my older son (almost 21), he would allow him to ask questions about something before giving his opinion. That way he knew he was really interested in knowing what we honestly thought. What I would be armed with when your daughter is ready to ask for your assistance, are options for her healthy competitive spirit. She could be a coach, her knowledge is invaluable. She could be her high school manager, statistician, assistant coach or same with her club team. I remember being on the sideline helped me understand the game better, and then I could share what I saw with my teammates, without them feeling the pressure of the coach. If that isn’t enough, perhaps finding activities that she could be competitive in, that challenge her like she was challenged in soccer. I have started a non-profit after school program for young girls in Northern California (BAWSI.org, bay area women’s sports initiative (pronounced, “bossy” because we are bossy girls hahaha) but maybe she could get involved in helping other young girls in your community to see the value in a healthy active life, and she could be a living example that an uphill battle doesn’t mean defeat.There is always something to fight for, which is what you and your daughter can remember. I wish you all the best, and if you have more questions, or comments, please don’t hesitate write. Brandi
Posted: 07/05/2009 @ 7:08
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