Get Ready for Your Child’s Upcoming Sports Season: Establish Abuse Prevention Practices Today to Prepare for Tomorrow

For most families, summer is a time to slow down. You might take a family vacation, spend more time together outside, and enjoy well-deserved down time. While it might not be your child’s sports season, the off-season and the slower summer months are the perfect time for parents and guardians to step back and ask what you can do today to prepare for what’s sure to be busy sports seasons ahead.

Practicing abuse prevention skills during the off-season will help your family be active participants in creating an abuse-free sport environment. Once school, work, and sports return to their full swing, you’ll be more informed, and you’ll be able to draw on this knowledge to support your kids in the midst of in-season practices and competitions.

Practices That Protect

Understanding how to prevent abuse is an important skill for any family. While it’s impossible as a parent, guardian, or caregiver to safeguard the children in your life at all times, you can use this opportunity to learn about important warning signs or situations that pose a greater risk. Parents who are more aware of abuse in sport can help their kids understand the characteristics of an abuse-free environment and educate them on how to build healthy, respectful relationships with teammates, coaches, and other adults.

Here Are Three Practices You Can Start Now that Will Help Your Kids Have a Safer Sports Season:

1. Establish a culture of communication. Summer months often mean more time spent with your kids. Use this opportunity to break down barriers and normalize conversations around tough topics. Learn how to talk with your kids about abuse and explore how to listen when they come to you with a problem.