Coach Nadia Chapman speaks directly to figure skating parents about the delicate balance between pushing for progress and pausing to protect a childs love for the sport. She defines healthy structure versus pressure-driven pushing, lists signs when to push (comfort drift, big goals with inconsistent habits) and when to pause (chronic exhaustion, anxiety, loss of joy), and offers the key question to guide decisions: is this discomfort productive or destructive?

Nadia emphasizes that parents own calm is a vital performance tool, and the long-term aim should be raising resilient adults, not just chasing medals. Watch your child rather than the scoreboard, and lead with steady expectations and wisdom.