Written by: Denise Holland, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Achieving success in sports can bring harmony and joy to your family, but it can also lead to meltdowns and emotional challenges for your child athlete. As a parent, knowing how to navigate these situations with grace and wisdom is crucial for both your child’s well-being and your relationship with them. In this article, we’ll explore three secrets to ensure a healthy and supportive environment for your child athlete’s development while reducing the stress for you both.
Secret No.1 – Unconditional love
It's natural for parents to want to fix things when their child is upset, especially after a disappointing performance. However, it's essential to remember that your child's successes or failures don’t define their worth. Instead of rushing to offer solutions, give your child the space to experience their emotions.
Stepping back while your child is hurting is essential to their development. Life and Sports will not always go as planned, and it’s Okay for them to feel upset. Nothing is wrong or needs fixing. All that’s happening is that your child is having an experience of their temporary thinking, and when that changes, clarity and their love for the sport will prevail. Let them know that you love them unconditionally, regardless of their results. This reassurance provides comfort and helps them regain their balance and confidence, allowing them to bounce back stronger. One of the most valuable lessons you can teach your child is not to be afraid of their feelings.
Secret No.2 – It’s not about you
As Parents, we often feel a strong urge to ensure our children excel in sports, academics, and life in general. However, it's crucial to recognise that your child's journey is uniquely theirs to navigate. Avoid projecting your aspirations onto them, and remember that their success or failure does not reflect your parenting. Believe it or not, how your children do in life is not in your domain. That would be akin to suggesting that you are responsible for their heart beating and lungs breathing. Parents are key influencers, but you can’t put a thought in their heads. A person’s psychology is as mysterious as the intelligence that allows our bodies to grow and the immune system to heal our bones.
Instead of pressuring your child to fulfil the dreams you have for them, please encourage them to explore their potential and interests. By doing so, you empower them to take ownership of their path. It's common for parents of talented children to wonder how much they should push their child. Trust that the inspiration that got them this far will continue to guide them on their path. Avoid increasing the pressure just because your child is gifted; let them find their own way.
Secret No.3 – Trust their inner wisdom
One overlooked aspect of education is the understanding that humans possess innate wisdom and resilience. This inner guidance system is rarely taught in traditional curricula but is vital to our existence. Teach your child that they have an inner knowing that is wise, loving, and capable of guiding them through challenges. You reinforce their trust in their inner wisdom when you remain calm during emotional outbursts. Your security that all is well allows them to navigate setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning rather than fearing failure.
Conclusion
Supporting your young athlete goes beyond celebrating their victories. It involves providing unconditional love, letting go of your expectations, and fostering their inner wisdom. By following these three secrets, you can create a nurturing environment where your child feels safe to explore their potential and learn valuable life lessons through sports while staying true to the PlayFreely™ spirit. Ultimately, your relationship will thrive, and you and your child can enjoy the journey of growth and development together, guided by the principles of PlayFreely™.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info!
Denise Holland, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Denise Holland is a leader in the spiritual nature of human psychology behind sports performance – the most undiscovered competitive advantage! She has competed at two World Championships and two Asian Championships in netball. Over fifty internationals and more than a hundred England Super-league matches have benefited from her services as a performance and national coach. Denise understands what it is to underachieve at a major competition and fail to maximise return on investment. She now dedicates her life to helping sportspeople playfreely™, highly aware, focused, and functioning optimally with 100% access to their skill capacity when it counts! Denise’s grounding in the spiritual nature of existence and human consciousness makes her highly specialised in leveraging state of mind. She works with sportspeople of all ages and levels local league to professional and national honours.
