Big Cat Talks Parenting, Youth Sports and Setting Kids up for Success

Dan “Big Cat” Katz joined the Youth Inc. podcast with Greg Olsen this week and the two shared stories about parenting, youth sports and just being a dad. It was a heartfelt conversation between two guys who aren’t afraid to admit that they don’t have all the answers.

“Sometimes we need to admit that we all share in the same struggle,” Olsen said.

Big Cat is the fifth guest in an impressive lineup for the Youth Inc. podcast. Watch the full episode here and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

Key Takeaways

·      Big Cat’s kids are young and he talked about trying to expose his kids to a lot of different things whether it be baseball, basketball or martial arts. We don’t know what our kids will be into when they’re young. Letting them experience different activities and see what sticks is the key.

·      Try not compare yourself to other parents. No two parents – or kids – are the same. So, do yourself a favor and don’t compare. What works for one family may not work for another. It’s OK to make mistakes and not be perfect. This is true for parents and kids.

·      Coaching youth sports is about structure and organization. It’s less Xs and Os and it’s certainly not all about winning. “Some of the best youth coaches I’ve seen didn’t play beyond high school,” said Olsen.

Lessons for Athletes: Sports can teach you many life lessons. Embrace it and enjoy the moment. Most people won’t play competitive sports beyond high school and that’s OK. Take it from Olsen who played at the highest level. “I just want my kids to experience high school sports,” he said. “I’ve played in college, the NFL, Pro Bowls, Super Bowls. But there’s just something about playing high school sports with your buddies for your town."

Lessons for Parents: Just like there’s no manual for parenting, there’s also no guide to navigating the world of youth sports. It’s OK, not to know. Kids develop differently and sometimes parents choose the wrong activity for kids, especially at a young age. “Trial and error is the beauty of being a parent,” said Big Cat.

Lessons for Coaches: Make sure you set a good example for the kids you’re coaching. Whether you’re reacting to officials or other parents, the kids are watching. Everyone loves to win, but it’s not the most important thing. Some of the most valuable lessons come following losses.