[Stardust]

I agree with this, BUT it can be done. Sometimes we forget about what is happening at home with some of these young people. There are some young people today that have had to deal with a whole lot more in their short lives, that we will ever have to. One of the most important things that playing any sport can teach a kid is discipline. Self discipline and team discipline, more than ever in our society we need these two things. The ability to control ourselves and the ability to work with others to achieve one common goal.

A coach at any level has a responsibility to maintain order and have a sense of fairness. Anything that underminds a coaches authority is bad. This is why I don't care for all the transferring that goes on. How about staying the course and working thru a problem? What about when these young people get jobs or get married? You just can't up and leave when there's a conflict. Mommy and daddy would be doing little Johnny a favor if they looked at him sometimes and said, "Deal with it!" or "Work Harder".

Great post Mama Bear. One that I completely agree with. In many instances, the structure and discipline that happens both in school and sports is the only form manifested that many of these students see.

Every generation of parent wants to give their children more than what they had. Parents, which I am as well, want to take care of their childrens problems. This is not healthy for the overall growth into adulthood.

It comes down to responsibility. If the students have no sense of responisiblity, then why should we expect them to be accountable for their actions.

It's interesting that most transfers have nothing to do with honestly giving their child a better opportunity versus taking them out of an environment where the parent feels that "little Johnny" was not being treated fairly. It's easy to blame a coach or the school being political versus looking into the mirror and teaching the student that sometimes you just have to work harder.