Understanding the dream

Every parent has a subconscious wish for their child to follow in their footsteps somehow.

- By BILL VELASCO

If you're a doctor, you'd like your offspring to join the family trade. If you're a politician, the shared surname is a powerful tool for continuity. Unfortunately, in reality, Sports does not really work the same way. Many children would rather step out of the shadows of their famous, formidable parents. It is even more rare for a child to excel in the same sport at the same level as his or her father or mother.

This writer has had three opportunities to see how parental influence can help mold or at least guide children in sport. My sons are now in their 30s. Sports definitely had to play a big role in their lives. In fact, when they hit their teens, I recruited them to be in front of the camera for my old program, The Basketball Show. We tried a wide variety of sports, from swimming to wall climbing to aikido and so many others. One thing you will have to learn as a parent is to understand the dreams of your child. And with that comes a degree of letting go of your own personal preferences.