Welcome back to The Photographer’s Couch! I’m your host, Megan Gioeli, and today we’re talking about something I see all the time during this busy sports season: passionate sports parents.

First, let me say this—I applaud you. To every parent hauling chairs, cheering from the bleachers, driving to practices, and showing up week after week: you are the heartbeat of youth sports. Your encouragement and presence make the experience better not just for your child, but for every kid on the field.

But then there’s the flip side—the parents whose passion comes out as negativity. The ones yelling at refs, criticizing plays, or shouting at kids from the stands. It’s distracting, unhelpful, and, honestly, it takes away from the experience for everyone else.

Here’s what I unpack in this episode:

• The difference between positive passion and negative outbursts.
• Why consistent criticism from the sidelines doesn’t help kids, refs, or coaches.
• How our emotions as parents can cross the line from supportive to distracting.
• Why kids will remember how they felt supported far more than the score of a single game.

✨ Takeaway: Keep showing up. Keep cheering. Let your passion be the kind that lifts kids up, makes sports fun, and creates memories of encouragement and joy. Passion is powerful—but positive passion is what truly lasts.