Many Parents are Focused on the Athletes Succeeding
Summary: Balancing life and sports can be difficult for both parents and kids. The pressure to succeed often connects self-worth to performance, which can lead to stress and emotional ups and downs. Parents play a key role in helping their kids separate identity from athletic achievement.
For parents, this usually means attending games and practices as well as helping kids receive the best training possible. Parents often have a large financial commitment in training, equipment, and travel.
Success in sports – however you define success – may be a top priority for both parents and kids. Parents and kids may feel a lot of pressure to succeed and win. This is not all bad for the young athlete; kids learn dedication and commitment through sacrifice in order to reach their goals. Too much emphasis on sports, however, can lead to an imbalance in other areas of life.
Self-Esteem
Psychologists define self-concept as how you view yourself. Self-esteem is whether or not you like what you see. When a person has high self-esteem, they like themselves and they feel happy.
Kids and parents, who evaluate themselves based on their success in sports, tend to experience positive or negative emotions based on the outcome of games. Parents and kids may feel disappointed after a loss, but may be thrilled after an upset. This is attaching their self-esteem to their performance in sports. This can be dangerous because self-esteem is connected to something that cannot be controlled, such as the outcome of the game or expected sports performance. In other words, your basic happiness becomes connected to something that you cannot control.
The best thing, then, is for kids and parents to detach their self-esteem from the athlete’s performance. How can this be done?
Become a Magician at Changing Roles
To achieve more balance in life and detach self-esteem from performance, try becoming a Magician at Changing Roles. Think of your sport as the rabbit in the hat. That role must disappear completely, as the rabbit disappears from the hat. The magician practices, so that the trick is fast and immediate. When parents and kids are changing roles, they need to be able to change roles quickly and completely.
When young athletes are playing sports, they should be completely involved in that role. When they leave their sport, they should be involved in other areas of their lives: school, family or other activities. Remember that the rabbit needs to disappear completely. While it is good to be competitive on the field, being competitive with your sibling is not so charming.
When parents are sports parents, they should involve themselves in that role fully. Support your kids on the field, but when you leave the field, be just a parent. Parents may need to be able to leave the match behind so that they can have something else to discuss at dinner. Your kids are people, first and foremost, who happen to be athletes. Remember you are a professional magician and you don’t want to see that rabbit running around onstage after his disappearing act.
To help parents and kids become a magician at changing roles, they must first define who they are outside of sport. Use only descriptions that apply to personal characteristics that you bring to every aspect of your life. Both parents and kids should make a list of these positive characteristics and review them every day. If you find something you don’t like about yourselves, work to change that aspect.
Parents and kids can help each other to make their magic work. Gently remind each other about being a Magician at changing roles. Anyone can get obsessed with something they are passionate about. Try to be persistent with making the rabbit disappear when the time is appropriate.
Strive for Balance in Life
Parents and kids can define success on their own terms. Find other hobbies, tasks, or goals to occupy time when not being involved in sport. Make a list of five other recreational activities you enjoy doing on free time. Make it a priority to involve yourself in these pursuits when not involved in sport.
Finally, let go of the judgments of others. Parents and kids should know that their immediate family and true friends love them for who they are as a person first. Family and friends do not make judgments based on sports success. For parents, others do not judge your parenting skills based on your kids’ performance.
How can I Balance Life and Sports?
1. Redefine Success as a Family
Talk with your kids about what success means beyond winning. Define it around effort, growth, and character. This helps with balancing life and sports by making room for emotional stability, even when the scoreboard doesn’t go your way.
2. Keep Self-Esteem Separate from Performance
Help your child see themselves as more than an athlete. Praise traits like kindness, focus, and responsibility. When self-worth isn’t tied to performance, balancing life and sports becomes easier and more sustainable.
3. Master Role Switching at Home
After the game, stop being the coach or critic. Be the parent. Ask about their day, not the match. This keeps home life separate from competition, which is key to balancing life and sports in a healthy way.
4. Fill Time with Non-Sports Activities
Encourage your child to explore other interests. Reading, music, or volunteering help build identity beyond sports. This supports balancing life and sports by reminding them they are more than one role.
5. Model Healthy Boundaries Yourself
Your kids watch how you handle pressure. Talk openly about your own ways of balancing life and sports. Share how you manage stress, rest, and priorities. They will learn balance by seeing you live it.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- How This Sports Program Helps Kids Excel in Life
- How to Make Youth Sports Fun for All Ages
- Comparison’s Impact on Athletes Confidence
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FAQ: Balancing Life and Sports
Q: How can I help my child balance life and sports?
A: Encourage them to explore interests outside of sports. Support school, hobbies, and friendships. Remind them they are more than just an athlete.
Q: What if my child ties their self-worth to performance?
A: Talk about traits that matter beyond the field, like honesty and effort. Praise who they are, not just what they do in sports.
Q: How do I switch roles as a parent?
A: At games, support them as a sports parent. Afterward, leave the outcome behind. At home, focus on being present and engaged in everyday life.
Q: Why is balancing life and sports important?
A: Without balance, kids risk burnout or emotional strain. A healthy identity includes many roles, not just one.
Q: How can we stay consistent with this?
A: Make it a habit. Check in weekly. Talk about what’s working and what’s not. Remind each other to keep the focus on the whole person, not just the athlete.
Kids Sports Psychology expert Patrick Cohn, Ph.D. has helped athletes for over 35 years to enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology. Today, he is the president and founder of Peak Performance Sports, LLC in Orlando, Florida.