Tips for New Sports Dads From “Dudes to Dads” Founder, Former Athlete

By Lisa Cohn

It’s hard enough being a first-time father. But when these former dudes become sports dads, they’re often confused about how to cope with the often-confusing and drama-filled youth sports scene.

Jason Kreidman, founder of “Dudes to Dads,” which provides advice and support to new fathers, recently joined our “Ultimate Sports Parent Radio” podcast to five us some tips. He’s a former high school and college athlete who spent most of his waking hours as a child immersed in youth sports—an experience that was both positive and negative.

First of all, he advises, understand why you’re enrolling your child in youth sports. What is your goal? Be sure to find a team with parents who have similar goals for their kids—to have fun, for example.

Next, identify how much time you want to commit to youth sports.

“For me as a child, it was a huge commitment. It might mean you and your kids will miss other family functions.” For example, do you want your kids to spend Saturdays, often a family day, in youth sports? he asks.

In addition, first-time dads should stretch a little when it comes to supporting their daughters. That means attending or taking part in traditionally female activities, such as dance and ice skating. Kreidman recently made a brave choice and joined in his daughter’s dance recital: He and other dads were butterflies who lifted their daughters during the performance. His participation made his daughter really happy, he says.

This is a nice metaphor for how all parents should support their children: Lift them up and support them in ways that make them happy.

Listen to the interview here:

Dudes To Dads was developed to help men transition from single dude into family man. Kreidman hosts his own podcast and a meetup group in California.