#unachieved

The pacing and pressure of youth sports can feel overwhelming. But if we can stop, take a breath, and really evaluated everything in front of us, we can often discern which pressures are worth feeling and which ones can be ignored. Remembering to pause and take that breath is one of the most important things we can do. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

Youth sports can be a bit nuts at times. And while it’s easy to judge - and we often do - that’s wild behavior is hardwired into us. It takes a lot of hard work to move past those natural emotions to be able to react under control and in our right mind. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

When we talk about youth sports, it is easy to focus on standings, playing time, and results because those are flashy and tangible. But the bigger impact is happening underneath all of that. Sports give kids a place to experience pressure, disappointment, and frustration in manageable doses. They learn how to recover from mistakes, how to work through nerves, and how to keep going when things do not come easily. Over time, those moments become the foundation for confidence, resilience, and emotional health that carries with them long after the season ends. And that is why access matters so much. When sports become too expensive, too exclusive, or too performance driven, the kids who often benefit the most are the ones most likely to be pushed out. Youth sports are one of the few places where kids can build resilience, learn emotional regulation, and develop confidence through experience. When more kids have access to those opportunities, we help shape healthier, more confident adults. Sources: �PLOS One - Association of Team Sports Participation With Mental Health Outcomes Among Children �National Institutes of Health - Sports Participation and Psychological Health in Youth �Aspen Institute Project Play - State of Play Youth Sports Participation and Long Term Outcomes #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #mentalhealth #raisingkids

Should parents attend their kids’ practice? It’s one of the biggest debates in the youth sports. While I understand staying and watching - especially for younger kids or if you traveled a good distance - there are benefits to distancing yourself away from the actual practice while still being nearby. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

The fear of falling behind is a real, legitimate fear when it comes to youth sports. But if we push a kid to competitive levels before they’re ready, it is just as likely that we push them away from the sport completely as it is that we help them “keep up” with others. Even if a kid displays some talent early, if they’re not ready mentally and emotionally, we shouldn’t push them to a higher level. This journey belongs to our kids. Lead and guide them. Show them what’s available. But ultimately, let them choose. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

Youth sports are not about winning. They’re about trying. They’re about learning. They’re about growing. Yes, we will try to win, but that’s not our ultimate goal when we sign our kids up for these games. The process matters so much more than the result. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #raisingkids #travelball

Youth sports are not about winning. We can want to win and try to win, but the ultimate point is not winning games. It’s using sports to teach our kids all of life’s most important lessons. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

Should parents attend practice? It’s one of the bigger debates in youth sports. In my conversation with @dr.jonathanjenkins, he shared the importance of creating enough space for coaches to have authority in practice while still being available and aware in case you need to step in to protect your kid. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #raisingkids

Parenting is really freaking hard. Even those who know all the techniques and theory still struggle at times. It’s not about being the perfect parent. It’s about being aware. About trying. About doing the work to improve yourself so you can be present for your kid. If you’re doing that, you’re doing a great job. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #childpsychology #raisingkids

Kids need five trustworthy adults in their lives to have the most success in life. Hopefully if you’re seeing this account you are one of five in your kid’s life. But can you be that for another kid? Great youth sports coaches have such a positive impact on kids. It doesn’t matter how well you know the sport either. If you can show them you care for them as human beings and want to help them become the best version they can be, you will become one of the adults that kids needs. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #travelball #youthcoach

Pro hours. No paycheck. No passion. 📉 By the time most kids hit middle school, they’ve already put in “pro-level” hours without the pro-level motivation. When a sport feels like a job at age 9, the spark is gone by 13. Is it time to rethink how we approach youth sports? #YouthSports #SportsParenting #AthleteBurnout #MentalHealthInSports #CoachingTips

We are going to disagree with coaches. Just a fact of sports. How we disagree will the model for how our kids grow up thinking they should handle disagree me. Disagree with actions but respect the humanity of the person doing the action. #youthsports #sportsparents #parenting #raisingkids #raisingathletes