Have you ever been stuck in that awkward pre-game moment with your athlete where she’s nervous, irritable, and absolutely not in the mood for your “pep talk”?

If you’ve ever watched your daughter freeze under pressure, beat herself up after mistakes, or struggle to bounce back during games, you’re not alone. I recently sat down with two amazing moms, Allegra and Samara, whose daughters play competitive gymnastics and softball. Their stories are packed with real talk and practical tips that’ll make you think, “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re dealing with!”

It’s one of the hardest moments a sports parent can face: watching your child get cut from a team. The sting of rejection, the tears, the frustration… It’s heartbreaking. You want to fix it, to make it better, to shield them from the pain. But deep down, you know you can’t. And that’s the hardest part.

Does this sound like your daughter? She’s just getting back on her feet after an injury, but something’s holding her back. Her body is ready, but her mind is playing tricks – nervousness, hesitation, and fear of reinjury. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Injuries are tough, but they’re not just a physical battle; they’re a mental and emotional one too.

They’re fiery, fiercely independent, and sometimes downright defiant. But here’s the secret: your strong-willed athlete might just be a future world-changer. The question is, how do you survive the journey?

As a sports parent, you’ve probably wondered what you can do to keep your child motivated and engaged in sports without pushing too hard. The journey of raising an athlete is full of highs and lows, and finding that balance can feel like an Olympic feat. I had the chance to unpack this complex dynamic with Asia Mape, founder of I Love to Watch You Play, in a recent episode of the Raising Elite Competitors Podcast. Asia’s insights as a three-time Emmy-winning sports journalist, former Division I athlete, and mom of three daughters (two of whom are Division I athletes) bring a wealth of wisdom to the world of sports parenting.

Let’s be real: being a sports mom is hard. You’re navigating tournaments, practices, teenage mood swings, and figuring out how to support your daughter through the highs and lows of her athletic journey. And when it comes to her confidence and mental game? That’s a whole different beast.

How do you know if your athlete is truly ready for mental training? What’s the right age to start? And how do you get her excited about it when she’s not sure it’s for her? These are the questions so many sports parents ask themselves, and the answers might surprise you. Whether your daughter is just starting out or competing at high levels, mental training could be the key to unlocking her full potential – both on and off the field.