Manners Matter: Be the Positive Influence

Dear Mary Pat,

I am in my first year participating in school sports and on a personal level, so far so good! But on a team level, not so much. Whenever our coaches ask better of us, some of my teammates come up with excuses as to why they can’t try harder. They whine and complain constantly, and it’s really starting to get to me. For one, joining the team was not mandatory and for another, they are really letting the whole team down with their bad attitudes. What’s a kid to do?

Take One for the Team

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Dear Take One for the Team,

It’s your first year and maybe some of your teammates didn’t know what they were getting into. Hopefully time and consistent coaching will make a difference in their mindset. The only attitude you can directly control is your own. However, positive attitudes can sometimes be contagious. Encourage your teammates whenever you can. People try harder when they are being cheered on. If this doesn’t seem to work, maybe quietly mention to your coach that not everyone is as enthusiastic as they could be. The ones who really aren’t into this particular sport will probably find another way to spend their time. The ones who stick it out will learn by the example that you and other more positive teammates set.

Good luck,

Mary Pat