Points for Parents

When parents take on the awesome task of allowing their children to participate in organized sports they are opening up a new world of discipline, sharing and teamwork. They are also committing the family resources of finances, time and travel.

It is critically important for Mom, Dad and Coaches to provide teamwork, insight and expertise regarding the sports in your child life. Parents and coaches must work together to help the athlete succeed in little league, through making a high school team, college NCAA and recruitment to a major leagues. All of these steps require a team effort.

I speak from experience as the proud parent of D. J. Shockley, 2nd String Falcon Quarterback of Atlanta, Georgia. Our family made the commitment from elementary school through college to support D.J.’s talent and skills by providing our time, financial resource and family involvement. D.J. became a superstar football player from middle school and into high school for North Clayton High School……. he went on to play in Athens, Georgia for the University of Athens and was signed in 2006 with the Atlanta Falcons, 2nd string Quarterback. His talent and skills were developed and cultivated by his family and coaches to support his rewarding athletic career.

I want to share with other parents that have recognized a super talent in their child/children my beliefs that certain qualities such as attitude, character, integrity and honesty should be priorities in raising a superstar athelete.

I want to share with other parents that have recognized a super talent in their child/children my beliefs that certain qualities such as attitude, character, integrity and honesty should be priorities in raising a superstar athelete.

When raising D.J. we used five basic principals to help him excel in sports and in life. They are:

We believe that once you agree to share your child/children with others through sports, academics, music and art you must help develop them for greatness. Every child has the potential to succeed. It is our responsibility as parents to provide the resources and nurturing to help them succeed.

Tanya Shockley
Advisory Member of REAL Parents, Inc.
Member of Delta Sorority Theta
www.realparents.net

Academics – our philosophy was grades comes first not sports, or fun and friends. We set the standard for his grades and C’s were unacceptable.

Church – as a Catholic family we required our children to work in the church as part of their growth and commitment to serve.

Volunteer Services – we always required our children to give back to the community by volunteering. D.J. was an active member of the Clayton County Challenge Program which offered support to Baseball and Bowling members.

Family Time – as the mother of three children, family time was mandatory around the house. We ate dinner together, laughed and talked and enjoyed each others company and ideas.

Ethics and Honesty – these are two of the most important qualities parents can give to build growth and development in their children. In other words, “Do the Right Thing”. In sports and in life ethics and honesty builds positive character.