“The team kid sent my project” - musing on adult-youth interactions
I guess this question applies most to coaches, but also parents or youth climbers as well. I’m climbing alone today so I guess I just have more time to think.
Climbing, to me, feels really unique because on a regular basis in the gym, people of all ages are working in the same field of play. Versus you’d never have an adult pulling up to bat alongside the rec baseball little league, for example. But with that comes a lot of interactions between youth climbers and adults. Some encouraging, some not so much (commentary on bodies, being annoyed that a kid sent your proj, etc). As a coach, I’ve definitely become acutely aware of this around the gym and its effect on kids (whether it’s seeking external validation, or just feeling insecure that they’re being perceived)
Curious how anyone else navigates this. Obviously when it’s ranging into specifically inappropriate, it should be addressed. But how could we nip it in the bud while we’re ahead? How do you talk to folks about expectations in this space?