When Your Daughter Isn’t Getting Playing Time: How to Help Her Speak Up with Confidence

Let’s be real. Few things stir up emotions faster than playing time.

“Is mental training for my young athlete really worth it?”

Maybe your daughter’s been struggling with confidence, stress, or just not enjoying her sport like she used to. You’ve tried pep talks, advice, maybe even therapy but nothing seems to stick. Sometimes it even feels like it makes things worse. Sound familiar?

If you’re a parent of a middle school or high school athlete, you know that thinking about college can feel overwhelming. There’s the recruitment process, the applications, the scholarships, and the nagging question: how do we make this happen without drowning in debt?

Ever feel like the second you bring up mental training, your daughter shuts down? You start to say something and she already knows where you’re going, so she tunes out or rolls her eyes. You’re not trying to make her feel like something’s wrong, but you do want her to realize how much working on her mindset could help her game.

How do you know if your athlete is ready for mental training? And maybe even more important, when’s the best time to start?

Ever sat in the bleachers or the car pickup line, wondering how to help your daughter shake off a tough game and truly believe in herself again? If so, you’re in the right place. This isn’t just another list of sports pep talks or motivational quotes. These are tried-and-true strategies, straight from sports moms who’ve watched their athletes deal with nerves, tough coaches, self-doubt, and those make-or-break moments that happen on every field or court.

It’s that time again: tryout season. The week when moms probably lose more sleep than their athletes do. And honestly? It makes sense. Tryouts are stressful for everyone: athletes, coaches, and yes, parents too.

You see it all the time.

Your daughter walks off the field with slumped shoulders. She’s quiet in the car ride home, maybe frustrated tears in her eyes. You try to encourage her, “You did great!”, but she shrugs it off or snaps, “You don’t get it, Mom.”