Kids are losers sometimes – it’s important they learn that

Not all children can win at sports (Picture: Getty Images)

My nine-year-old son, Leo, hates losing. 

Over the years, there have been tears when he hasn’t won at a board game. He has threatened to quit cricket – his favourite sport – because he wasn’t the best on the day. And he is not above levelling cheating accusations at a rival team who has won fair and square. 

And in those moments, I’ve forced myself to go against the instinct every parent has: to smooth it over, tell him he’s a winner anyway, or agree with him, as a way to rescue him from the disappointment. 

Instead, I’ve always told him the truth, because it’s an importan...