We always think of parents teaching their children about life, but sometimes the tables are turned, and parents learn a thing or two about their child’s resilience and strength. Nothing accomplishes that more than watching your child play sports.

There are five primary points you can learn about your child as they play football. At the end of each point, there's a summary statement from the child’s perspective that ties it all together:

1. My child thrives on support rather than pressure: Sometimes in our attempt to help our child improve in their sport, we “coach” them on what they did wrong and go over every move they made during a game. Rehashing every mistake can cause your child to feel pressured so they lose interest in the sport altogether.

Are you the parent of a youth, middle school or high school football player who’s looking for more tips or resources? Check out our Parent Guide, Parents 101 course, nutritious recipes and more.

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Kids of all ages need support in the form of encouragement and positive correction. Telling them what they did right will go a lot further to build self-confidence than critiquing their every move. Even if their performance wasn't very good, focusing on even one good play they made will help.

Point learned: “Mom, Dad, support me in my sport and show me that you’re behind me 100 percent no matter how I perform on the field.”

2. My child can live and breathe without Xbox, cell phone or tablet for a few hours: Yes, it’s true! Your kid may seem joined at the hip with their electronic devices any other time, but with sports, nothing else matters while they're on the field. It’s like the electro-universe loosens its grip when they engage in on-field sprints, group stretching, scrimmages or games. It’s enlightening for parents to see their child grip a football instead of a control pad.

Point learned: “Dear parents, I can live without my electronic devices for a few hours a week, and I might even enjoy it, so don’t fret so much.”

3. My child is tougher than it seems: In an article by Patti Neighmond titled, "Benefits of Sports to a Child's Mind And Heart — All Part Of The Game," the author points out the most commonly touted attributes recognized among student-athletes are discipline, commitment and self-confidence. As a parent, you have a bird's-eye view of your child’s developing personality, and yet you may be surprised to observe another side of them in organized sports.

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Your child learns to handle game stress and defeat, how to operate in a team environment, how to get back up quickly when injured. They learn the discipline of practice, meetings and training. All of the sudden, they aren't little "Junior," and they've grown into a mentally robust and resilient young person.

Point learned: “Dad, Mom, even Grandma and Grandpa, let me grow into an adult. You’ve seen me develop from a baby to a toddler to a young child. Now it’s my turn to grow into a solid, strong person."

4. My child will value sports memories for decades: Once children reach a certain age, many become too cool to hang out with family or even be seen walking with a parent. They may not act like they treasure vacations and family outings, but notice the operative words, “act like.”

Even if children seem to temporarily lose their minds during certain years, they'll be able to recite scores, team bus rides, victories and losses decades later. Why is that? According to grownandflown.com, “Sports teams are the stuff of lifetime memories. The triumphs and defeats of a sporting season stay with us long after the season is over. Our kids may one day forget who was in their English class or which math teacher they had in 10th grade, but their team … that they will never forget.”

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Point learned: “Dear Dad, I might not remember that great vacation last year because I was too big for my britches, but we’ll be talking about every detail of 'the big game' into our golden years.”

5. My child thrives on unconditional love: When your child has a bad game, they're already well aware of it. You don’t need to remind them. Show your child unconditional love no matter how they perform on the field. Love your child when they decide that they'd prefer another sport.

Of course, you’ll all celebrate victories and individual sports performance, but remember to daily celebrate your child for being them, not just for the performances they have on the field.

Point learned: “Mom, dad, it hurts me when you demonstrate performance-based pride in me. I need to know you love me unconditionally all the time.”

Michelle Hill, Your Legacy Builder at Winning Proof, helps athletes tell their stories, thus creating lasting legacies. As a book collaborator, project coordinator and writing accountability coach, she works exclusively with pro athletes, coaches, team owners and other sports professionals to move their book idea from concept to publication, from the red zone to the end zone.

This is an updated version of a blog that originally published June 29, 2017.