Answer these questions to help you discover your natural parenting style and how it shows up for your athlete in high-pressure moments.

Your child has an important game today. How do you typically approach the morning routine?

I make sure they eat a good breakfast and get plenty of encouragement, telling them how excited I am to watch them play

I review their goals for the game and discuss specific strategies or techniques they should focus on

I ensure they have everything they need and check that they're feeling confident and not too nervous

I remind them of what they've been working toward and emphasize the importance of giving their best effort

I gauge their mood and energy level, then adjust my approach to what they seem to need most that day

After a game where your child didn't perform as well as expected, what's your immediate response?

I focus on the positive moments and tell them how proud I am that they tried their best

I wait until later to discuss what went wrong and what they can work on for next time

I make sure they know that one game doesn't define them and that I love them regardless of performance

I acknowledge their disappointment but remind them that setbacks are part of becoming stronger

I read their emotional state first and respond accordingly – sometimes with comfort, sometimes with motivation

The coach makes a decision you disagree with regarding your child's playing time or position. What do you do?

I trust that the coach knows best and encourage my child to stay positive and keep working hard

I consider whether this decision aligns with my child's development goals and may discuss it with the coach if necessary

I focus on making sure my child doesn't feel discouraged or lose confidence because of the decision

I use it as a teaching moment about overcoming obstacles and proving yourself through hard work

I assess how my child is handling the situation and tailor my response to support them appropriately

Your child is reluctant to go to practice after a tough week. How do you handle this?

I remind them how much fun they usually have and encourage them to go with a positive attitude

I explore what's causing the reluctance and problem-solve ways to address the underlying issues

I validate their feelings and let them know it's okay to have difficult days while gently encouraging participation

I explain that commitment means showing up even when you don't feel like it, and that's how champions are made

I try to understand what they need – whether it's motivation, comfort, or just someone to listen

You notice your child is having conflicts with teammates. What's your approach?

I encourage them to focus on being a good teammate and finding ways to get along with everyone

I help them analyze the situation and develop specific strategies for improving team relationships

I make sure they know they can talk to me about any problems and that I'll support them through difficulties

I teach them that learning to work with different personalities is an important life skill that will make them stronger

I observe the situation carefully and adjust my guidance based on whether they need social skills coaching or emotional support

When it comes to setting goals for the sports season, you typically:

Encourage them to set goals that will keep them motivated and excited about playing

Help them create specific, measurable goals with clear steps for achievement

Make sure their goals are realistic and won't create too much pressure or stress

Push them to set ambitious goals that will challenge them to reach their full potential

Work with them to set goals that match their current developmental stage and personal interests

During a game, your child makes a significant error. Your internal reaction is:

"That's okay, everyone makes mistakes. I hope they don't get discouraged."

"I can see what went wrong there. We can work on that technique this week."

"I hope they're not too hard on themselves. They need to know I still believe in them."

"This is a learning opportunity. They need to bounce back and show their resilience."

"I need to see how they're processing this before I know how to best support them."

Before a big tournament or championship game, you:

Focus on keeping the atmosphere light and fun, reminding them to enjoy the experience

Review preparation strategies and ensure they're mentally and physically ready to execute their plan

Make sure they're not feeling overwhelmed and know that your love isn't dependent on their performance

Emphasize the opportunity to show what they're made of and rise to the occasion

Assess their stress level and provide whatever type of support they need most

When thinking about your child's athletic future, you:

Hope they continue to love playing and have positive experiences that build their confidence

Consider what skills and experiences will best prepare them for the next level of competition

Want to make sure they're not sacrificing their childhood or overall well-being for sports

Believe that athletic challenges will develop character traits that will serve them throughout life

Try to balance their athletic development with their changing interests and overall growth

At team events and gatherings, you typically:

Focus on building positive relationships and creating a supportive team community

Engage in discussions about training methods, strategies, and ways to help the kids improve

Make sure all the kids feel included and that parents are supporting each other appropriately

Connect with other parents who share your commitment to helping their children excel

Adapt your involvement based on what the team dynamic needs and what feels most helpful

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *