*@!#&@% (otherwise known as soccer)

Okay, I was annoyed to begin with, the longer it took me to get home, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. So here's my rant, if you are a highly competitive parent, don't read it.

If your response to an email PLEADING for coaches is "I have no experience."  Then I'm pretty damn sure you have no right to give your child grief for the way they play.

STOP YELLING AT YOUR KID! I'm not talking about hollering "That way!" "Kick it!" "Go!" in an encouraging way. I'm talking about screaming at your 4,5,6 year old "KICK THE BALL!" "GET SERIOUS." "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Don't look away from the field and shake your head when your kid kicks the ball out of bounds.

You think it's easy? Okay, then lets get all the parents out there to play each other, no not on the kids' little field. On the real one. Let's see how focused and eager you are at the end of an hour. I'm pretty sure half of you wouldn't make it.

These are things I witnessed from parents on my children's teams and others today. Adults expecting children under the age of 6 to play like teenagers performing for a college scout.

Parents avidly keeping score of a game that, guess what, isn't scored or refereed. WHO CARES who scores the most goals?? They are not here to "win" anything. They are here to learn to love the game. You think they are going to love the game when you are screaming at them the entire time with that disappointed look on your face?

THEY ARE CHILDREN!! They are here to get a basic idea of how the game works and get their feet wet on the concept of teamwork. Skill doesn't come till later. They are here to have a good time not fulfill your lifelong desire to have a sports star.

Here's a hint, in the grand scheme of life a 5 year old's soccer game means jack and shit. Guilting your child for a "poor" performance does nothing but demean your child and undermine their self esteem. At this age they are trying as hard as they can. Suck it up - be a SUPPORTIVE PARENT and get your priorities straight. You're here to support your child not a sport.