9 Things Every Athlete Needs from their Parents

Written by: Joe Jardine

Being a parent of an athlete can be both challenging and rewarding. It's challenging to constantly manage the tension between encouraging their commitment to the sport, and living a well rounded life. But it's so rewarding because you get to see them achieve things they never thought possible.

So how do we do it? Here are 9 things every athlete needs from their parents.

1. Be their biggest fan.

Even if you stop reading right now, this is the big one. Being an athlete's biggest fan means being their number one supporter, no matter what. It means being at their games and cheering them on, but it also means being there for them when they lose. It means listening to them when they want to talk about the sport, but also listening when they need to take a break from it.

Being their biggest fan doesn't mean pushing them to be the best, or constantly living vicariously through their accomplishments. It just means letting them know that you're proud of them, no matter what.

Does this mean there will never be time for conversations about how they could improve? Definitely not saying that. But as Andy Stanley says, "let your 'wow' come before your 'how.'" Start with "wow, that was amazing," before talking about how they can be better players.

2. Encourage your student athlete to have a good attitude and work ethic both on and off the field or court.

Attitude is everything. It's the difference between a good player and a great player. It's the difference between someone who makes it to the top, and someone who doesn't.

As important as it may be to focus on growing skill, it's even more important to focus on growing a good attitude. A bad attitude is toxic both for the team and your athlete's success in their sport. This is why we're so passionate about mindset coaching for athletes. Winning starts with your mindset. It starts with your attitude.

This starts with the attitude they are displaying at school or around the house. Helping them grow off the court or field will help them immensely in their sport.

3. Help them maintain a balance between their sports and schoolwork.

One of the most important things you can do for your athlete is help them maintain a balance between their sports and schoolwork. It's so easy for athletes to get caught up in the game and forget about their studies. But if they want to continue playing at a high level, they need to maintain good grades.

This can be a difficult balance to strike, but it's so important. A good place to start is by sitting down with your athlete and their coach, and coming up with a plan. This plan should include specific times for when they will be doing homework, and specific times for when they will be practicing or working out.

4. Make sure they are getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet.

Another important thing you can do for your athlete is to make sure they are getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet. This can be a challenge, especially if they have early morning practices or games. But it's so important because their body needs time to recover, and the food they eat will give them the energy they need to perform at their best.

Some tips for making sure your athlete is getting enough rest:

• Having a set bedtime and stick to it as much as possible
• Limiting screen time before bed
• Making sure their bedroom is dark and quiet

Some tips for eating a healthy diet:

• Focusing on fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks

Parents play a big part in these two because you're probably the primary grocery shopper, and the one with the most control of the family calendar!

5. Help them to stay organized and manage their time well.

One of the best things you can do for your athlete is to help them stay organized and manage their time well. This can be a challenge, especially if they have a lot of commitments. But if they can learn to manage their time well, it will pay off in all areas of their life.

Some tips for helping your athlete stay organized:

• Using a planner to keep track of their commitments
• Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces
• Prioritizing their time

6. Be there for them when they need someone to talk to, whether it's about their sport or something else entirely.

Your athlete will have good days and bad days. They will have days when they feel like they can conquer the world, and days when they feel like they can't do anything right. It's important to be there for them on both kinds of days.

Sometimes, all they need is someone to listen to them. Other times, they might need some advice. But no matter what, it's important to be there for them.

7. Encourage them to set goals and help them to develop a plan to reach those goals.

One of the best things you can do for your athlete is to encourage them to set goals and help them develop a plan to reach those goals. This will help them to stay focused and motivated, and it will give them a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goals.

Some tips for helping your athlete set goals:

• Make sure the goals are specific and realistic
• Help them to develop a plan to reach their goals
• Encourage them to track their progress

8. Help them to learn from their mistakes and to keep a positive outlook.

Everyone makes mistakes, and athletes are no exception. One of the best things you can do for your athlete is to help them learn from their mistakes and to keep a positive outlook. This can be a challenge, especially if they are used to dwelling on their mistakes. But if they can learn to let go of their mistakes and move on, they will be better for it.

Some tips for helping your athlete learn from their mistakes:

• Encourage them to take responsibility for their mistakes
• Help them to see the silver lining in every situation
• Encourage them to develop a Growth Mindset

9. Help them to enjoy their sport, and not to take it too seriously.

Your athlete will have more fun and be more successful if they enjoy their sport. One of the best things you can do for your athlete is to help them enjoy their sport, and not to take it too seriously. This can be a challenge, especially if they are used to taking their sport very seriously. But if they can learn to relax and have fun, they will be better for it.

Some tips for helping your athlete enjoy their sport:

• Encourage them to focus on the process, not the results
• Encourage them to take breaks from their sport
• Encourage them to find other things that they are passionate about.

Final Thoughts

It’s not always easy being the parent of an athlete. There are a lot of things you need to do to help them succeed both on and off the field. But with a little guidance and support, your athletes can reach their full potential. We hope the tips in this post have been helpful for you. If you need more advice or want to talk to someone who understands what it’s like to be in your shoes, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help!

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