How-to Guide Coaches Youth League Managers

As a marriage, family and child counselor, Laguna Niguel psychologist Darrell J. Burnett says he has heard countless stories of troubled youngsters with negative memories of their days in organized sports--everything from embarrassment and feeling pressured to yelling coaches and screaming parents.

“As I heard these stories I always felt disappointed that, at a time when a kid should have been having fun, he or she was experiencing just the opposite,” says Burnett. “On the other hand, I have always been impressed with the potential influence a youth league coach has in developing self-confidence and self-esteem in a youngster. A pat on the back, a smile, a wink--youngsters really respond to positives.”

A father of three who coaches Little League, Burnett has written “The Art of Being a Successful Youth League Manager-Coach” (Funagain! Press; $2.95).

The pocket-sized booklet, “a must for managers, coaches and parents,” offers 14 practical, common-sense steps to help kids have a good time, feel good about themselves and improve skills.

Under the heading “Look for Positives,” for example, Burnett says: “As a youth league manager or coach it is important to avoid ‘the criticism trap.’ If a player hears mainly negative comments and receives attention for negative behaviors, the youth leaguer can quickly lose self-confidence and even a desire to play. One of the best things a youth league manager or coach can do is to ‘catch the youth leaguer doing well’ . . . There should be a ‘four-to-one’ ratio of positive remarks to critical remarks. . . . “

Also included are a basic skills checklist, positive behavior checklist and 86 ways to say “very good!”

For more information, call (714) 831-3979.

Home Work: Gregory and Patricia Kishel of Laguna Hills have written a book aimed at the more than 30 million Americans who now work at home on a full- or part-time basis.

“Start, Run & Profit From Your Own Home-Based Business” (John Wiley & Sons; $14.95) is a guide to setting up and operating a profitable home-based business.

The trade paperback covers such issues as picking the right business, selecting appropriate office equipment and presenting a professional image, in addition to tax, insurance and legal considerations.

The Kishels are small business consultants and co-authors of “Cashing in on the Consulting Boom” and “How to Start, Run and Stay in Business.”

Teen Pregnancy: Morning Glory Press of Buena Park, which publishes books dealing with adolescent pregnancy and parenting, has just released two new titles:

“Teen Parenting: Your Pregnancy and Newborn Journey” ($9.95) by Jeanne Warren Lindsay and Jean Brunelli, is a prenatal health book. “Teens Parenting: Discipline from Birth to Three” ($9.95) by Lindsay and Sally McCullogh offers parenting techniques for teen-age parents.

Coming this fall: “Teens Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year” and “Teens Parenting: The Challenge of Toddlers.”

Lindsay is the author of 14 books related to teen-age pregnancy and parenting and adoption from the birth family’s perspective.

For more information, call Morning Glory Press at (714) 828-1998.

Resource Book: Golden Family Products of Westminster has updated “Where Can We Go Today?” a resource book to help Orange County parents, teachers and youth group leaders find interesting places to visit with children.

The new, 120-page edition ($5.98) now lists more than 200 destinations, including museums, tide pools and even a lollipop factory. Many of the listed locales are inexpensive and more than half are free.

For more information, call (714) 893-5492.