Many of you out there will have experienced mean people, many times on social media, but also in face-to-face situations.
These attacks are further exacerbated when you are a champion or are born into a family of champions, where it is inevitable that you will meet people ready to dish out a generous amount of meanness.
So with the above said, it is my belief that the number one thing that you can do to handle mean people is to SMILE!
Yes, just smile! Smiling is a silent killer. It sounds simple, but it is ever so powerful!
The second thing you should do is to LOOK THEM STRAIGHT IN THE EYES to show them that you see them. This might upset them or make them more angry, but they might also get embarrassed by their actions. Most importantly, DO NOT AVOID THEM.
The third piece of advice is to KEEP MOVING IN YOUR LANE! If you focus on them you will quickly lose your direction. So, do not let them steal your energy and focus.
Lastly, DON’T MAKE THEM YOUR ENEMY! They don’t know what they are doing. Rather send them well-intended prayers and positive energy.
S-M-I-L-E!
Parents of Children in Competitive Sport