One of the toughest things about playing sports is getting rejected in a tryout or not making the team. Your child is excited and thrilled to try out for several teams, and they expect to make it into their top choice. However, they don’t get picked and now they’re devastated. As their parent, you will probably feel dejected as well.

As your child grows and goes through more experiences, they will have to deal with rejection and disappointment along the way. It helps that you’re ready to comfort them and help them cope with setbacks. Eventually, your child will discover their strengths, learn how to figure out their own solutions, and be more resilient. Right now, your guidance is crucial in helping your child move on and view life in a positive outlook once again. Youth sports are supposed to be fun, after all.

Here’s some tips on how to help your child cope with not making the team after they come home with the heavy news:

Listen and Empathize

Allow your child to recount everything that happened. Don’t react quickly. Just let them to share their thoughts and feelings, and when they are done telling you about how they didn’t make it, acknowledge their perception of what happened.

Keep Calm

You might feel upset at this point, and you might also feel frustrated that the coach didn’t pick your kid. However, it’s important to stay composed and listen rather than overreact. Seeing your distressed expression will only make your child feel worse. Your goal is to let them talk and pour out their emotions.

Validate Your Child’s Emotions

How to Help Your Child Cope with Not Making the Team - Hotels4Teams

It helps to tell your child that you know they are disappointed, and it’s okay as you’d likely feel the same way too if you were in their shoes.

Don’t tell your child that it’s not a big deal or it’s not really worth getting frustrated over. If you brush it off as a small, inconsequential setback, your child might feel dismissed or even guilty about being sad. This could lead to them suppressing their feelings in the future and being reluctant to share their troubles with you.

Encourage Them

Try to encourage your child to rise above the obstacle. Let your child know that even if they get cut, it doesn’t mean that they are not good enough. Every team looks for something different, and your child may have better opportunities ahead. Support your child’s efforts to improve and continue playing the sport. Make your child feel that you’ve got their back in every step of the way.

Make it a Positive Learning Experience

Rejection and disappointment are valuable life lessons. They’re just another part of growing up. Help them recognize that although the coach’s decision cannot be changed, there are other things that your child can change to be more successful in the future.

For example, they may choose to do extra practice drills or take private lessons to improve his skills. Emphasize the importance of a positive attitude, especially when responding to setbacks.

Suggest a Fun Activity

How to Help Your Child Cope with Not Making the Team - Hotels4Teams

Children and teens need the support and approval of their parents, especially when facing rejection. Be there when your child needs you. Your presence and words of encouragement may be enough to cheer him up.

To help make your child upbeat again, recommend a fun activity in the coming weekend and enjoy a bonding time together. Tell your child that they can choose any movie they want to see or that you’ll buy them a new video game.

Coping with rejection takes time. With your help and guidance, your child will likely cope faster and move on with no lingering hard feelings. Remind them that not everybody is good at everything, and help them find the sport that they will be good at and enjoy.

Before your child tries out again, remind them that giving their best effort is what really matters, and that you will be proud of them no matter what. A good attitude will help your child get through life’s hardest challenges and achieve their goals.