Sports parents have gotten a lot of bad press.

We are always reading about crazy parent stories: parents attacking coaches, parents assaulting players, parents yelling at coaches and acting like maniacs on the sidelines.

But those parents are not a fair representation of all sports parents.

There are so many more positive, loving, supportive sports parents out there than there are crazies. And I want to take this opportunity to say thank you.

Thank you for …

• The long hours you spend sitting in the bleachers watching your children at games or practices, putting aside your own work or personal interests.
• The many miles you put on the car as you travel to games, practices and tournaments to support your children.
• The hours you volunteer to help your children’s teams, whether it’s in the snack bar, as a driver or as a statistician.
• The hugs you give your children, win or lose.
• The support you show the entire team, not just your own child.
• The way you support your children’s coaches, even if you don’t agree with them.
• The way you understand that there is more to life than sports, stats, awards and getting your own child’s name in the paper.
• The sacrifices you make so your children can play – money and time. And thank you for not constantly reminding them that you are sacrificing. (Someday they will get it.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to those sports parents who are positive and see the values of life-lessons learned from playing sports.

Your contribution to the culture of youth sports is invaluable. There would be no youth sports without your help and support, and it is appreciated by coaches, other parents, the team and, most of all, by your children. (Someday they will get it.)

Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach’s wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks. She authored the Sports Parenting Survival Guide Series and has recently launched a podcasting series for sports parents. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.