Five things you need to know about “THE CAR RIDE HOME”:

* The car ride home is one of the most critical moments in youth sports development and sports parenting.

* What's happening emotionally with your child after competition (complex feelings that are hard to process) - makes the car ride a very difficult experience for sporting parents to know what to say - and - just as importantly - what not to say.

* Common parent responses that backfire ("It's okay, you did your best" / "Don't worry about it") - although well intentioned, often only make you - the parent feel good.

* The championship approach: Say nothing, just listen; when they do speak, adopt a less-is-more approach.

* Have a car ride home strategy - BEFORE the car ride home - so you know what to say and do whether they win or lose.

Wayne Goldsmith

Sports Thoughts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waynegoldsmith.substack.com/subscribe