Middle school is the weird awkward middle of youth sports — and this episode is the sports parenting advice you need to survive it. Sports MOMs 201 picks up where Sports MOMs 101 left off and dives into the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade years — when club kids, rec kids, and never-played kids all land on the same team, and it can be every bit as complicated for the parents.

If you've ever wondered how to be a good sports parent when the sideline gets political, or how to be a supportive sports parent when your kid gets cut, this one is for you. This episode breaks down how middle school sports actually work — from mystery tryouts and back-to-back-to-back seasons to why your middle school coach (who is also the PE teacher) can't be your kid's personal skills trainer.

You'll walk away with tips and strategies for parents of athletes covering everything from communication with coaches, to figuring out your kids skill development strategy, to knowing what belongs in the coach's inbox and what does NOT. We also tackle the sticky moments — like the perfect tip to escape a conversation you don't want to have.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder of the parents' role in youth sports — not just chauffeuring and cheering, but setting boundaries, protecting our kids' bodies and joy, and building the sideline community we all wish we had.

Whether your athlete is just starting middle school or already in the thick of it — this is the middle school playbook every sports mom needs.

Thanks for listening to MOMs Running Point.

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This week on Moms Running Point, I sit down with Dr. Jen Fry of JenFryTalks — a conflict resolution expert who has spent her career helping athletes, coaches, and parents navigate the hardest conversations in sports. If you have ever driven home from practice fuming about something the coach did (or didn't) do, this episode is for you. As we discuss her new and future books Dr. Jen Fry gives us two questions to ask ourselves BEFORE we send that email, add your thoughts to the team chat or corner the coach after practice — "Am I hijacking the conversation?" and "What am I really mad at?" Both hit hard. And you don't want to miss Jen's Game Ball — it's rich with praises for those that Sport Parent at their best. Listen before your next parent-coach conversation, especially if you're already drafting the email in your head. Episode 31 is out now wherever you get your podcasts.

This week's episode of Moms Running Point — Heat Check with HeatSense — opened my eyes to how much I didn't know. Melissa Fortenberry gives great sports parenting advice when it comes to heat illness in young athletes, and how doesn't always look like what we think. In youth sports sometimes the most dangerous signs aren't recognized. Sometimes it's quiet confusion on the sideline that gets dismissed as a bad attitude or weakness because they aren't able to push through. If you're seeing the signs, your child is already in the danger zone...what are we doing to prevent heat illness?

MOMs Running Point talked with HeatSense, the company building wearable technology that tracks a young athlete's core temperature in real time and alerts parents and coaches and staff the second a kid is heading into danger — not after.

If your kid plays a summer sport, a turf sport, or anything where they're outside in this heat — please listen to this one. And share it with the other moms on your team.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we do as supportive sports moms is know more than or question the people running the practice.

Episode Links:

HeatSense: https://heatsense.com TYPE IN THE CODE: RunningPoint26 AT CHECK OUT FOR $50 OFF!!!

wet bulb index: https://www.weather.gov/tsa/wbgt

Sports MOMs CAN do it all. Even Videography. A fun listen as we dive into the all-too-real journey of becoming your childs or even the team videographer—whether you signed up for it or not. Returning guest Alexis Smith and I share our camera experience including tips and mishaps, the learning curve to recording, highering a professional vs doing it ourselves, and we're breaking down what it really looks like behind the camera, including that imposter syndrome that many sports moms experience.

Don't miss this episode's Technical Foul from Alexis Smith. It is diabolical-Adult Bullies :\ shouldn't ever be a thing.

Episode Highlights:

• How sports moms end up as videographers (the "voluntold" moment we all know)
• The pros and cons of DIY filming vs hiring a professional
• Game-day strategies to capture footage that actually matters
• Imposter Syndrome-taking your spot beside the professionals
• Turning a sideline role into a potential side hustle

This episode is filled with Youth Sports Parenting Advice, How to film kids sports, Capturing sports highlights, sports video tips

Conflict in sports is inevitable—but how we handle it makes all the difference. This week on MOMs Running Point, we're joined by Dr. Jen Fry from Jen Fry Talks to break down why conflict arises between athletes, parents, and teammates—and what we can do about it. Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, TEDx speaker, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, an organizational change firm that sits at the intersection of conflict and culture.

From sideline tensions to team dynamics, we dive into the root causes of conflict and how myths, expectations and lack of guidance can escalate situations quickly. Dr. Jen Fry shares powerful insights on how athletes can practice assertiveness, communicate effectively, and approach coaches in a way that builds understanding—not more conflict.

Learn how to: Navigate tough conversations with confidence why you should Support your athlete and not take over Turn conflict into growth opportunities

This is a must-listen for every sports parent and athlete striving for healthier, stronger team environments and what every parent "says" when they sign their kid up for sports, its for personal development.

Listen now and take the first step toward better communication and stronger relationships on and off the field.

GET JEN'S BOOK HERE: https://jenfrytalks.com/book/

#MOMsRunningPoint #AthleteConflict #SportsParenting #TeamCulture #Leadership #CommunicationSkills

MOMs Running Point is back and Season 3 kicks off with Sports MOM Goals 2026. In this episode, host Tawa Dortch revisits the importance of setting goals—not just for our athletes, but for ourselves as sports moms.

Instead of covering multiple goals, Tawa dives deep into one unexpected and challenging goal: training for her first full marathon. What began as a personal challenge quickly became a powerful lesson in discipline, consistency, recovery, coachability, and grit—modeled in real time for the athlete watching from the sidelines.

Through honest stories, humor, and reflection, this episode reminds moms that our kids are watching how we handle hard things. Setting goals isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, pushing through, and leading by example.

Because the sports mom journey isn't a sprint—it's a marathon.

Somewhere between sign-ups, try outs, and endless tournaments, the fun we once felt at our kids' games can quietly slip away — and sometimes, without realizing it, we Sports MOMS help it happen.

In this episode of MOMs Running Point, I share a personal "sideline face" wake-up call, the surprising difference I felt watching a friend's child play, and why that matters for our own kids' joy.

We'll break down three ways we might be unintentionally adding pressure — turning sports into a job, showing up with unspoken expectations, and making every game feel like the "only chance" for their future. Then, we'll flip it around with three practical ways to put the fun back in the game — for them and for us. Because when joy takes the lead, everybody wins.

Thanks for listening to MOMs Running Point.

Connect with MOMs Running Point: Follow MOMs Running Point on Facebook Follow MOM's Running Point on Instagram Click here to sign up for the MOM's Running Point Newsletter!

In Part 2 of our transfer portal conversation, we dig deeper into the current experience Lisa's daughter is facing as she re-enters the portal for her final year. We talk about the process, the unknowns, and the emotional toll this journey takes on athletes and their families. Lisa shares practical advice for moms—how to support, when to step in, and how to protect your child's mental and emotional well-being in the middle of uncertainty, pressure, and change.

Please see the link below for the Boot Check in Lisa talked about in the episode:

https://jaefoundation.com/boot-check-certified-businesses/

Thanks for listening to MOMs Running Point.

Connect with MOMs Running Point: Follow MOMs Running Point on Facebook Follow MOM's Running Point on Instagram Click here to sign up for the MOM's Running Point Newsletter!

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out. For immediate support, contact a crisis helpline near you. Call or text 988.

When we hear "transfer portal," we often think of athletes chasing more playing time or a better scholarship—but that's not the full story. In Part 1, Lisa Hayes shares her family's firsthand experience navigating the portal after her daughter faced a toxic team environment and coaching challenges. From the emotional decision to leave, to the unexpected blessings that came from it, Lisa's honest, empowering perspective sheds light on why transferring isn't quitting—it's choosing what's best for your athlete.

Lisa is the Admin for Baseball Moms and Softball Moms facebook pages and has created an amazing group of sports moms and experts who support, encourage and look our for one another! She does a relentless amount of work to foster a positive atmosphere and goes above and beyond for this group from finding deals and discounts to directing those in need! Well done Lisa!!!

On this episode of MOMs Running Point, we're tackling one of the most powerful relationships in youth sports — siblings as teammates. I'm joined by the incredible Svonnie Dalcourt — powerhouse event planner and proud mom of two standout basketball players who both played Division 1 Basketball ( Houston University and University of Louisiana) and now play profressionally in Europe.

We dive into the heart of the episode FAMILY: how her sons, Corey Davis Jr. and Jalen Dalcourt, built a bond that not only defied sibling rivalry but became a foundation for mutual growth, motivation, and lifelong connection.

Svonnie shares her wisdom on raising boys who sharpen each other like iron — on and off the court. We unpack how personality differences can become strengths, how to encourage sibling unity without comparison, and what it looks like to support individual paths while celebrating shared goals.

Whether you're raising one athlete or a house full of them, this conversation is packed with encouragement, truth, and tools to help you raise not just good athletes — but great teammates.