How to Survive (and Help Your Athlete Thrive) This Competitive Season

Hey there, sports parents.

Take a deep breath. No, really—inhale, exhale. It’s crunch time. The competitions are coming thick and fast, the pressure is rising, and your athlete is riding that fine line between confidence and total emotional breakdown over the wrong brand of energy bar. (Yes, we’ve all been there.)

I see you. I know you’re investing time, energy, emotions, and a small fortune into your child’s sporting journey. You want them to do well. You want to give them every possible advantage. And most importantly, you want them to enjoy the sport and take something valuable from the experience.

But let’s be honest—supporting an athlete isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, despite your best intentions, what you say or do can unintentionally add pressure instead of easing it. And the last thing you want is to be the reason they spiral into self-doubt five minutes before a race or match.

So, let’s talk about how you can be the ultimate MVP (Most Valuable Parent) during this competitive season—helping your child perform at their best, stay in the right mindset, and actually enjoy the experience.

1. The Power of “Less is More”

Let’s start with a hard truth: Sometimes, saying less is saying more.

Your child has spent weeks—maybe even months—training. Their coach has drilled them on technique, tactics, and strategy. They know what to do.

What they need from you is not last-minute technical advice or a dramatic pre-game speech about seizing the moment. (Unless, of course, you’re an actual sports psychologist—then, by all means, do your thing.)

Instead, try this: 

A simple “Have fun out there!”  A reassuring “I love watching you play.”  Or, if you can’t resist some wisdom, “Trust your training.”

No pressure. No overcomplication. Just pure, supportive energy.

2. Help Them Find Their Flow, Not Block It

Ever heard of Flow State? It’s that magical place where everything clicks—when athletes feel focused, confident, and totally immersed in the moment. It’s what makes performances great.

But Flow is fragile. And parents can accidentally block it in a few ways:

 Over-coaching: If you’re trying to analyze their performance mid-game from the stands… stop. They can’t hear you, and even if they could, it wouldn’t help.  Too much pressure: If your entire weekend depends on whether they make the final, they’ll feel it. And guess what? Stress kills Flow. 

Distractions: The “Did you pack your water bottle?” interrogation five minutes before their event? Probably not helpful. In fact, definitely not.

Instead, help create the right conditions for Flow: 

✔️ Encourage autonomy—let them take ownership of their performance. 

✔️ Keep their focus simple—don’t overload them with last-minute advice. 

✔️ Help manage their emotions—keep your own anxiety in check so they can focus.

Remember: They don’t need a coach in the stands. They need a parent in their corner.

3. The Emotional Rollercoaster: How to Handle the Highs and Lows

Sports will break your heart. One moment, your child is on top of the world. The next, they’re crushed because they just missed qualifying, got edged out in the final, or made a mistake that cost them the game.

So, what do you do?

 After a win: Celebrate them—not just the result. Instead of “You won! That was amazing!” try “I love how hard you worked out there” or “You looked like you were having so much fun.” This keeps the focus on the process, not just the outcome.

💔 After a tough loss: First rule—let them feel it. Don’t rush in with a life lesson or silver lining five seconds after they step out of the pool, off the field, or off the mat. They need space. A simple “I know that was tough. I’m proud of you” is enough.

(And if they want to sulk in the car for 10 minutes before they speak? That’s normal. Ride it out.)

4. Your Athlete is Not Just an Athlete

Yes, their sport is a big part of their life. But it’s not the only part.

They need breaks. They need to talk about things other than competition. And they need to feel like you love and value them no matter what.

So, in the coming weeks, as the season heats up, make sure they also hear:  “You got this.”  “I love you.”  “I’m proud of the way you show up.”

Because at the end of the day, the real goal isn’t just winning medals. It’s helping them grow into strong, resilient, and happy human beings.

Join Our Complete Parent Community – Because You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If any of this resonates with you—if you’ve ever felt uncertain, stressed, or just plain exhausted trying to figure out how to best support your athlete—I’ve got something for you.

We’ve just launched the Complete Parent Community, a space for parents just like you who want to: 

✅ Learn how to support their child’s mental game 

✅ Get expert guidance on handling pressure, performance, and communication 

✅ Connect with other parents who truly get it

It’s totally free, and I’d love for you to be part of it. Click here to join via the SPACES APP on your mobile device. The group is called Complete Parent

You’re doing an incredible job, and your athlete is lucky to have you in their corner. Let’s make this competitive season one they’ll remember—for all the right reasons.

See you in the group!

P.S Rooting for you and your champ!