My daughter Olivia decided she wanted to play softball this spring. New to the sport, she is in the Rookie League, which is comprised of second and third graders who are just learning the game. 

After having several practices or clinics involving all the Rookie League players, a draft was held to select teams. It turned out that they had more teams than coaches, so Olivia's team needed a coach.

I've coached both youth baseball and basketball previously, but not my kids' teams. I was interested in doing it, but wanted to get Olivia's thoughts before signing on. She was all for it, so I said yes.

I've read a lot about what to do and not to do when coaching your kids, but what I was most looking forward to was spending some quality time with my daughter doing something we were both interested in.

Driving to and from practices and games, we have some interesting conversations about my coaching her team, what she likes about softball and how the practice or game went. Once we arrive at the field, she helps me prepare, sort of like an assistant coach.

And once the practice or game begins, she listens well to me and the other coaches, tries hard and seems to have fun, not necessarily in that order. The fact that I am there to witness and share in this is special. This is our time together, and I look forward to future practices and games. Olivia and I have always shared an interest in sports and games, and it's fun to be doing this together.