As a parent, we may find ourselves in a strange position when it comes to football and other activities in which our children choose to participate. We want them to succeed and be the best, but we also understand that they can not win every game. So how should you deal with criticism as a parent?

Smile- Not everyone is going to like your player. He could be the best on the team or even the country and someone will dislike him. Instead of arguing the virtues of your player, remember to smile and understand that if he continues on the path to success, it will be an ESPN announcer someday making cracks at him. There is a line where fans can take it too far. The wife of an NBA player recently had an incident because she asked a fan to stop yelling obscenities about her son's father in front of the child. That is too far. The last I heard the fan was trying to sue the player's family. In a case like this, call security.

Support your player- You have to be your player's biggest fan even if they are a horrible player. The idea is to encourage your player and not make excuses. If the player does not show up for practice, then as a parent you should understand when he is riding the bench. Support your player by teaching him responsibility that comes with being on a team. Going to practice is like having a job when the player graduates. To earn a paycheck you have to show up, but not just on payday.

Support the Coach- If you are screaming things from the stands and tearing down the coach, your player is not getting everything from the game he needs to. It looks like you do not respect the coach, so your player will assume he does not have to either. Do not blindly follow a coach who is putting your child in danger, but do not question his every decision. Not only are you teaching your player that the coach should not be listened to, it can also put your player in danger. I have heard parents yelling to players on the field instructions about how to play. The coaches are directing the players to play a different way. Then the player takes the field questioning what he should be doing. Mistakes happen and people are injured.

Talk to the Coach- When you are having a problem, talk to the coach. It is okay to call him or make an appointment to see him. But on the practice field and during games, the coach is in charge. If you have concerns about a situation, contact the coach and discuss it. Too often, parents hear things from their players which turn out to be a misunderstanding. Therefore, before you decide to cuss the coach out in front of a crowd, make sure you have your facts straight. This is the quickest way to cause problems for your player.

Being a parent is an important job. You have to be the supporter for your child during the good and bad games. It is just as important to know how to handle it when things go bad, so the game does not become a big embarrassing mess for your child. The main thing to remember is that your child learns how to treat others by watching you.