After meeting with dozens of families and discussing their children’s recruiting process, we’ve come across some great examples of how parents can empower their kids. Notice how we said, “THEIR recruiting process.” After all, it is your son or daughter who is being recruiting. Meaning, the drive to be great and get recruiting should predominately come from your children. With that said, there are many ways families can and should work together through this process. Below is a list of 8 ways YOU can empower YOUR children through THEIR recruiting process.
1- Collaborate with your child while coming up with their list of favorite schools – do the research together. Once you get an initial list put together, have your son or daughter check-out some of those schools on their own, jot down some interesting facts that stood out, and talk about those items together.
2- While there are certain parts of the recruiting process parents and studletes should collaborate on, there are others by which studletes should take care of on there own. For example, your studlete should be communicating with college coaches – not you! The college coaches are recruiting your children, they want to hear from them too. If a college coach asks your child something they cannot answer, they can always turn to you for guidance or advise.
3- Allow your child to have the difficult conversations – they will be better off in the long run for it. If your child isn’t interested in a school, they should be the one respectfully telling the coach of that school they aren’t interested. If your child isn’t happy about their playing time, they should be the one asking the coach, “what can I do better?” Use this process as a time for your child to grow into a mature young man or woman.
4- Your child is his or her own ISLAND – Don’t compare your child and their recruiting experience to other studletes. Also, don’t let your child compare themselves to others. Have them be happy for those who got a letter from a great school or even who have verbally committed to their top choice.
5- Have your son or daughter work hard every day on the thing they CAN control. For example, stamina, strength, lacrosse skills, confidence, and grades. Don’t focus on the “he said, she said” – focus on the “What can I do to get better?”
6- Have your studlete seek feedback and constructive criticism from their coaches/mentors/guidance counselors. Feedback will turn a lot of rumors, stresses and unknowns into useful information to make this process as smooth as can be.
7- Be there for your child if their “Dream School” doesn’t work out. There are great alternatives to finding that “Dream School” or playing for that “Dream Program.” The more your family learns about all the great schools out there, the easier it will be to find a great fit.
8- Remind your studlete that they are choosing the SCHOOL not just the lacrosse program. Don’t forget to ask yourself, “What would my school experience be like without lacrosse?” A strict focus on finding the right school will motivate your son or daughter to get the grades needed to get in!
