Question
Hello Parent Coach - I play pickleball with my 13 year old son every so often on the weekends. I am a better player and he is a beginner, learning at school in PE. After we rally to warm up, we play a game or two and I win, although I do play below my ability. As the score creeps up in my favor (usually I win 11 to 2), he becomes more and more sullen and in a foul mood. As we walk home, he is Sir Grumpy and shooting red hot daggers at me through his eyes. Can you recommend how best to respond, if at all, to this? It occurs to me that there are two issues - poor sportsmanship to those around him, and getting really down on himself internally. Thank you!