As we head into the weekends let’s all share a rose and a thorn from the busy week.

Start with connection!! Instead of giving what you think is your best ADVICE for pregame jitters try connecting with your kid and reminding them that how much you love them and support them has absolutely nothing to do with their actual performance or the results of the game. Right now my toddlers are 3 and 4 and just getting started with the idea of learning new skills in sports. My favorite line to use with them right now before we try something new or challenging is simply: “I LOVE TO WATCH YOU PLAY AND TRY NEW THINGS” Imagine you were in the car right now with your kid and they had a huge game to play. What would you say to replace ADVICE with CONNECTION?

Your kid has a bad day out there and nothing seems to go their way. How do share with them your thoughts about their performance…? And…how does that usually go?

Let me be clear here, I am not saying you shouldn’t ever take a break or go on a trip with your family. What I am saying is…while you are at Disney, or wherever you go, you are still an athlete. If you want to outperform others, you will need to find ways to get your training in even when you are on “vacation”. For me this is where Identity is crucial. If you actually identify as an athlete, then everywhere you go and everything you do, is done through the lens of a high performing athlete. Where do we all stand on this one…I am curious?

WHITE BOARD SERIES Ep. 001 “The Power of Identity in Shaping Outcomes” I am so excited to kick off the white board series in our community with special guest Chris Martinez from Homeschooling Athletes on FB. In this unscripted call we will be hearing about the aspects of her families journey through sending four out of four kids to college soccer and how three of them managed to get national team recognition. The focus will be on talking through the family decision around supporting the individual identities of her kids, things that went well and maybe somethings she wishes she could do over again. Our hope in sharing this story is that all of you will benefit from her experience and my commentary around the importance of the parent/child dynamic during the most essential years for youth sports development. The Google meet link is posted in the calendar and I hope to see many of you there. If you have any questions you want to ask or topics you want covered in this talk please leave your comments below: