My son’s club soccer team, defending state champion at age 11-12, had an undefeated season the following year until it lost in the finals. As we were walking over to receive the second-place medals, the father of one of the players was lecturing his son in the parking lot.

“Son, they are picking up their silver medals,” he said. “We are not going. Our family only collects the gold ones.”

Certainly, this was a prime example of a parent spiraling out of control. Most parents – even parents like these – want the very best for their children.