Today’s guest, trainer, coach and author Andrew Simpson and I chat about the youth sport experience today for kids, parents and coaches.  We discuss pressures on kids, coaching and parental pressures and stressors.  We also look at parents who also coach and the difficulties involved in that role, in particular.  Common mindset traps kids fall into are also part of the conversation including the perfectionist kid who has high and unrealistic expectations of themselves and others, social comparisons and kids who carry their sporting identity so that it impacts their self-esteem.  Parents, and coaches in youth sport and teachers may find this episode helpful.

Key Learning Points

• Two big pressures that a lot of kids put on themselves in sports include trying to please others (coach and parents) through their performances.
• Between 9 and 11 years old children go from focusing on the task at hand to being more aware of others and their thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
• It is easy as a coach to lose sight of why you coach.
• Showing kindness and compassion as a coach and parent is a helpful way to help children regulate their emotions.
• For parents who also coach their children setting boundaries of when you’re a coach and a parent is vital.
• Children can find it difficult to regulate their emotions in sport due to performance demands.
• Parents can consider themselves as role models whilst standing on the sidelines.  If they get animated their children may follow suit.
• Bribery when parenting is unhelpful in trying to promote intrinsic motivation.
• Sports are what you do and are not who you are.

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Relevant Podcast Episodes

Ep154: David Charlton – How Do I Go About Controlling The Controllables To Help My Sport Performance?

Ep145: David Charlton – How Can I Help My Children Who Suffer With Nerves Before They Compete?

Ep141: David Charlton – How to Help a Child Who Wants to Quit Sport

Ep122: Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences

Ep082: David Charlton – Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback

Relevant Blogs

Blog: Helping a Critical Child When You’re a Parent

Blog: How to Help Children Overcome Fear of Failure

Blog: How to Support an Angry Young Athlete

Blog: How to Help Kids Overcome Performance Anxiety

Blog: 9 Tips for Children from Olympians

Relevant Resources

Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video's)

Sport Psychology for Children and Parents

Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz

Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz