Dear Annie: My 12-year-old son has always loved playing soccer. He is not the most talented kid on the field, but he works hard, listens to feedback and truly enjoys being part of a team. Unfortunately, his new coach seems to have taken all the joy out of it.

From the first practice, this coach has been harsh, sarcastic and impatient. He yells at the kids for small mistakes, plays favorites and benches others for reasons that do not make sense. My son has gone from running out the door with excitement to dragging his feet and saying he does not want to play anymore. It breaks my heart because sports used to be such a positive outlet for him.

I have considered saying something to the coach, but I do not want to be that parent or make things harder for my son. Some of the other parents fee

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