Youth sports: During that car ride home, back off
What we adults call "explaining," our children call "lecturing." Please remember this as the fall youth sports season kicks in.
Especially on that car ride home.
No matter how much you want to help, starting a conversation about the just-ended game right afterward usually won't turn out well. Kids want our approval, and even if we preface criticism with three positives, they'll roll their eyes when you mention they loafed down the first-base line or muffed a pass for an easy basket.
Besides, they already know that stuff themselves.
So, when's the right time?
Show up at practice, and if the coach needs a hand, helps everyone else's kid. Then yours.
Watch games together, and point out fundamentals the pros are using that your child can work on.
Record your child's game with one of those hand-held cameras and play it back a day or two later, perhaps with a teammate over -- and snacks.
And if you get a minute during the game, put the lens on the coaches and slip them a copy, so they can check if they've leaped beyond "coaching" and into "yelling."
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.