Here's Liz Atwood in this week's Tween Tuesday:

Billy Ray Cyrus is worried that fame is destroying daughter Miley, according to the headlines. I’m sure that such exposure won’t be a problem for my perfectly normal and, at times, underachieving boys. And while I may nag them to do better in their studies and urge them to get involved in extracurricular activities, I’m not sure I have what it takes to be the parent of someone in the spotlight.

This became clear to me over the weekend when one of my sons was in a recreational league basketball tournament. I sat in the bleachers along with about a dozen other parents cheering our team on, but I was astounded as the cheering turned ugly—and personal. The parents began to criticize the referees, the coach and the other children.

In a couple cases, the unsportsmanlike remarks were directed toward my son, who missed a layup and a few rebounds. “He can’t jump,” one parent said. “He’s always like that,” another said.

My boys have both been involved in sports since they were in second grade, but this was a new experience for me. Perhaps I should have told the other parents they were setting a poor example for their kids, but I kept quiet. I know as kids grow older, the competition grows more intense and I’m going to have to develop a thicker skin if my boys keep playing sports.

But this time, when my son’s team lost in overtime, the coach and I were the first out the door.

Have you heard other parents criticize your child in a performance or sporting event? What’s the proper response?