Following this year’s Major League Baseball (MLB), your children have taken an interest in baseball. And it couldn’t excite you more as a baseball fan! There is so much you want to share with them. However, you don’t want to be that overbearing baseball parent. You know that doing too much too soon can cause them to lose interest instead.
You would have also realized that you have to take different approaches with them. After all, we express and receive love in different ways. Understanding your child’s primary love language can help you support their baseball interest in meaningful ways. Here is how you can support them according to their love language:
Love Language 1: Gifts
Get your child a bat and glove. As long as the equipment is age-appropriate and maintained in good condition, it is functional. It doesn’t have to be brand new or expensive. For special occasions such as Christmas or their birthday, consider gifts related to their favorite team or personalized baseball gifts. Any baseball fan will agree that they make great baseball lover gifts. If your child’s primary love language is receiving gifts, such thoughtful gifts can help affirm your support for them in their interest.
Love Language 2: Quality Time
Go to baseball matches or watch them on TV together with your child. Watch baseball movies; some of these deliver important values that they can build when playing the sport, such as patience, persistence, and sportsmanship. Related match and movie discussions can expose them to the sport and inspire them, further spurring their interest.
If they attend baseball practice, ask them about their experiences. As they speak, you may be strategizing how to solve a particular issue they face. While it is important to think ahead plan, it prevents you from practicing active listening. Be fully present in these conversations. For children who value quality time, giving them your undivided attention as they speak will help them feel particularly supported.
Love Language 3: Words of Affirmation
Doing anything for the first time can be daunting; affirm your child’s willingness to try something new. Their foray into baseball is a good opportunity for you to teach them the growth mindset: to love challenges, embrace their mistakes, try new approaches and keep learning.
No child wants to be a disappointment to their parents. Children whose primary love language is words of affirmation are particularly susceptible to criticism. Instead of yelling at them about what they should or should not be doing, or making comments that express disappointment, talk through key learning points to them calmly.
Validate their struggles. They may be afraid of being hit by the ball when it’s their turn to bat. They may not run fast enough to reach the different bases. Besides modifying the game and equipment to build their skills and confidence, offer timely encouragement and praise—children are constantly looking to their parents for approval.
However, praising or criticizing them for their abilities and results can be counterproductive. Commend them for their willingness to learn and try. Remind them that you love them regardless of their aptitude or performance. It will help build their self-esteem and courage to try again.
Love Language 4: Acts of Service
Practice throwing, batting, and catching balls with your child. Before and after their practices, prepare their favorite snack and clean their baseball equipment for them. However, as they grow older, show them how to prepare these foods and clean up after themselves. It will help them build independence and ownership over this endeavor. You can always help them out once in a while to show that you still care deeply about their baseball pursuit.
Besides what happens on-field, what happens off-field is crucial in developing their interest. Offering your help in their practice and tasks associated with baseball can help further their interest as they feel supported in their baseball journey.
Love Language 5: Physical Touch
Sit close to your child when you watch baseball matches together and when they share about baseball. Before and after their practices, offer respectful and appropriate physical contact, including pats, hugs, high-fives, fist bumps, and hand squeezes.
Be it at home or external training, comfort them with a hug or shoulder rub if you notice that they are struggling. Be mindful of disciplining them (i.e., hitting or spanking). They would be feeling frustrated at themselves. Any form of negative touch will only add fear and pressure.
When such reactions compound over time, it may cause them to view baseball negatively and lose interest altogether. Or they may continue to play the sport to avoid disappointing you, even if they don’t enjoy themselves.
Reassuring physical contact can help relieve their stress and encourage them to try again, which will cultivate a genuine interest in the sport. Don’t force them to learn and advance according to your timeline; allow them to learn and grow at their own pace.