Overzealous corrections from the sidelines are one thing, but kids tell me that their parents pressure them to succeed at school, in social settings, on the playing field, in extracurricular activities and just about everywhere they go. The push to achieve is intense, and our kids are crumbling under the pressure.

When kids are consistently forced to excel, they race through childhood at a fast pace, potentially missing important developmental tasks along the way. Kids need time to practice social interaction skills, to learn how to set and reach goals, to make mistakes and build resilience, and to hone their interests.

However, the worst thing a parent can do is to tweak the game rather than address a child’s attitude.

If a child is afraid, upset, unsportsmanlike or unmotivated, this is their parents’ opportunity to step in and counsel them toward the right mentality toward facing challenges. In a supportive environment losing can encourage learning instead of bringing damage to a child’s self-esteem.