Awesome points Alex! I just had to quote you (even though those reading this thread could easily have read it for themselves).
I too, have seen waaaaay too many (in my opinion....and many others i suspect) kids throwing fits. Meltdowns will happen from time to time, especially in the lower ages, but when it is repetitious, it's tired, destructive, and reflects poorly on the individual, coaches, club, tournament, and the sport we all love.
Parenting (when actually done) is not easy work (and trust me, I'm not the best by any means). We can all see pathetic examples of poor parenting all around us. It's not fun or easy to lay into your kid when they have done or are doing wrong, but if you don't, you, and more importantly, your kid will pay the price down the road...guaranteed...one way or another.
The popular culture always seems to be able to explain bad behavior in kids (or even adults for that matter) for us is touchy feely BS terms that result in idiotic failed (countless examples everywhere you look) approaches that further end up shaping and molding kids that are these meltdown types we've all seen.
Self-esteem is not awarded, it's earned. Good behavior in kids is not some random chance thing. True all kids are different, but if you, as a wet-noodle parent throw up your hands and whine "he won't listen...blah...blah...blah.." Shut up and keep doing the hard work of disciplining your meltdown artist or you will end up getting a phone call from jail from your kid when they grow older...or worse, you'll get a visit from uniformed officers asking you to come down and identify your kid.
Also, make sure the coach and club you and your kid are involved with have a strong and disciplined "code of conduct". Not necessarily something that is hard-coded in some document, but at least their approach, etc. If they allow meltdowns, involvement by out-of-control parents, etc... you need to find another club. Get your kid away from these poor examples of behavior, or again, you and they will pay the price at some point.
Excellent thread.
These type of posts give me hope for our sport and organization. I might add, a key phrase to be very wary of by a coach, "standing up for my wrestler".
