Here’s the hard truth: your teen athlete/performer might be hiding struggles because they don’t want your common reaction. You tend to activate full-blown Fixer Mode! This doesn't make you a "bad parent" but there is a better way to approach this situation and the opportunity for growth and improved connection is waiting for you.

In our bantering and discussion in this episode we call out the mistake we ALL make as parents because we love our offspring so much! We want to FIX their problems for them when sometimes they just want and need us to listen in a way that creates some safety and space to get something off their chest. Asking questions that allow them to be open and honest sets you up to coach your teen athlete/performer into creating their own solutions and building confidence. All without turning every moment into a lecture or a fix it session.

Let's gooooooooooo Most Valuable Parents!

The Timestamps

00:00 Understanding Teen Struggles

02:33 The Role of Parents as Fixers

05:30 Listening vs. Fixing: The Emotional Safety

08:13 Effective Communication Strategies

10:57 The Detective Approach to Parenting

14:00 Supporting Teen Growth and Independence

Takeaways

-Teens may hide struggles to avoid parental "fixing."

-Parents often jump into problem-solving mode too quickly.

-Emotional safety is crucial for open communication.

-Listening is more important than providing immediate solutions.

-The "curse of knowledge" can hinder effective parenting.

-Asking questions can empower teens to find their own solutions.

-Parents should adopt a "detective" approach to understand situations better.

-Fixing problems can sometimes damage the parent-teen connection.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve

Wanna know how to pause, find the “why” behind your reaction, and respond like a calm, high-performance coach—not a panicked or crazed bleacher creature?! Stick with us in this episode because we have some burning questions for you along with a few simple preemptive strikes you can launch before the next competition, plus some communication moves that protect connection with your high achieving teen athlete or performer, especially when emotions run red hot!

The Timestamps

00:00 The Common Parental Mistake

03:18 Understanding Emotional Reactions

05:17 The Impact of Highly Emotional Reactions on Relationships

08:00 Navigating a Coach's Substitutions and Your Teen's Mistakes

10:22 The Importance of a Big Picture Perspective

12:33 Preemptive Strike Strategies for Parents Before the Competition

Takeaways

-Reactions can create blind spots that hinder understanding.

-Parents often react without realizing the impact on their children.

-Emotional attachment can drive irrational responses.

-It's crucial to pause and reflect on a proper response vs. a knee jerk reaction.

-Understanding the 'why' behind reactions can prevent misunderstandings.

-Parents should focus on what truly matters in competitive situations.

-Preemptive strike strategies can help manage emotional responses.

-Communication is key to maintaining healthy relationships with teens.

-Parents should strive to be aware of their emotional triggers.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve

If you’ve ever thought, “Why isn’t what worked in business working at home?” you’re not alone. Today we unpack how successful parents can accidentally bring the wrong playbook into parenting their high achieving teen athletes and performers. You’ll leave with simple, introspective coaching questions that expose blind spots and rebuild trust with your teen athlete or performer.

The Timestamps

00:00 Exploring Imperfection and Safety in Parenting

03:11 Understanding Blind Spots in Parenting

05:29 The Complexity of Parenting and Teen Relationships

07:02 Assumptions and Their Impact on Parenting

09:51 Navigating Different Parenting Styles

11:43 Questions for Reflection and Growth in Parenting

Takeaways

-Teens have a high awareness of their flaws.

-Creating a safe space for imperfection is crucial.

-Blind spots in parenting can lead to misunderstandings.

-Understanding a teen's perspective is essential.

-Assumptions can negatively impact parent-teen relationships.

-Communication should focus on feelings, not just facts.

-Self-awareness is key in parenting.

-Parents should reflect on their motivations for corrections.

-The complexity of human relations makes parenting challenging.

-Identifying blind spots can improve relationships with teens.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve

PARENTS: In Part 4 of 4 of our "specialization series" we tackle the hard questions and attempt to get you thinking about your thinking on WHEN is the time right, if it's right!

Exclusive grind with no guardrails? Mmmm, not the way to go. BUT, and this is a big BUT...specialization isn’t automatically “bad”—it can protect joy when the timing is right and the environment is supportive. We give you clear criteria to decide: Is your teen choosing this with energy? Do they have clarity and support? And just as important—do they have an identity beyond being “the athlete”? This is parenting teen athletes with a coaching mindset: connection first, performance follows.

The Timestamps

00:00 The Debate on Specialization in Sports

03:13 When Specialization Becomes Harmful

06:09 Criteria for Healthy Specialization

08:49 The Importance of Timing and Support

11:40 Identifying the Red Flags

13:47 Final Thoughts on Specialization

Takeaways

-Specialization can protect joy but can also be harmful.

-Timing is crucial; specialization should be later in teens.

-Joy in sports is essential for healthy development.

-Parents should focus on their child's happiness, not just rankings.

-Overuse injuries and burnout are risks of early specialization.

-A supportive environment can mitigate the pressures of specialization.

-Athletes should have multiple identities beyond just being a player.

-Criteria for specialization include joy, clarity, and support.

-The focus should be on the child's experience.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

-Nate & Steve

NOTE: This is Part 3 of 4 in a series on Specialization! You want your teen to succeed—and love the journey while they do it. In this episode, we uncover the secrets behind self-driven performance, fewer injuries, and the joy of playing sports for fun. It all starts with seeing your teen in a whole new way: through the lens of strengths. We’re talking about how to spot your teen’s real strengths, what to do with them, and why the “Strengths Snapshot” tool could change the game for both of you.

The Timestamps!

00:00 Identifying Teen Strengths

03:00 The Strengths Snapshot Tool

05:49 Durability and Health in Sports

08:15 Self-Initiation vs. Parental Push

11:11 Secondary Sports and Holistic Development

13:50 Guardrails for Youth Sports

16:39 Long-Term Development and Enjoyment

19:00 Rec Ball vs. Competitive Sports

21:45 Conclusion and Future Topics

Takeaways

-Identifying strengths is crucial for teen development.

-Clarity in understanding strengths leads to better outcomes.

-The Strengths Snapshot tool helps assess teen capabilities.

-Durability in sports is linked to fewer injuries and better performance.

-Self-initiation in practice is more valuable than forced participation.

-Parents should observe their teens' self-driven activities.

-Balance organized sports with free play for holistic development.

-Rec ball can be a valuable outlet for enjoyment and skill development.

-Avoid over-specialization to prevent burnout and injuries.

-Engaging in multiple sports can enhance overall athletic performance.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

-Nate & Steve

If you’re like most driven parents of teen athletes, you’ve been told you’ll “miss the boat” if your kid doesn’t specialize early, that early success proves their long-term trajectory, and that more hours always mean more results. In this episode, we unpack and debunk those dangerous myths, show you what college coaches actually look for, and explain why multi-sport focused experience and unstructured play often beat year-round exclusive grind. You’ll walk away with a clearer, saner game plan to protect your teen’s body, joy, and long-term performance. Let's goooooooooooooooooo!

NOTE: This is Part 2 of 4 in a series on Specialization!

The Timestamps!

00:00 Debunking Specialization Myths in Youth Sports

09:52 Understanding Early Success vs. Long-Term Trajectory

15:02 The Value of Varied Experiences in Youth Sports

16:00 Debunking the Myth of More Hours Equals More Success

18:24 Understanding Organized Sports and Risk Management

19:07 The Reality of College Coaches' Preferences

20:51 The Importance of Unstructured Play

21:51 Recognizing Warning Signs in Young Athletes

24:43 Clarity as the Key to Athletic Commitment

Takeaways

-Specialization myths can put teens at risk.

-Early specialization leads to higher injury rates.

-Multi-sport participation promotes long-term physical and mental health.

-Parents often mistake early success for long term trajectory.

-College coaches prefer well-rounded athletes, not just specialists.

-More practice hours do not guarantee success.

-Kids need unstructured playtime for healthy development.

-Monitoring mood changes in athletes is crucial.

-Clarity of purpose in a given activity is king!

The Research:

Sports-Specialized Intensive Training and the Risk of Injury in Young AthletesJayanthi NA et al. Am J Sports Med. 2015.

Overuse Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports: A Position Statement from the American Medical Society for Sports MedicineDiFiori JP et al. Clin J Sport Med. 2014.

Associations of Early Sport Specialization and High Training Volume With Injury Rates in NCAA Division I AthletesAhlquist S et al. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020.

Early Sport Specialization Is Not a Prerequisite for Elite Success (AOSSM Consensus)LaPrade RF et al. Orthop J Sports Med. 2016.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

-Nate & Steve

If you’re like most high-achieving parents, you’ve probably heard, “If your teen doesn’t choose one sport now, they’ll fall behind.” In this episode, we slow that conversation way down and begin a walk through what specialization actually is, where it helps and where it hurts.

We know this is a big deal and you're right in the thick of it. The clock is ticking on your teen's formative years. We get it--we've been there and know what you're experiencing. And we're going to address all angles of the specialization debate in a 4 part series. By the end, you’ll possess more clarity on what’s right for your son or daughter regardless of what everyone else on and off the court, field or stage is doing! Let's get started. Should your teen specialize or sample?!

The Timestamps!

00:00 The Specialization Discussion (& sometime debate) Begins

02:10 Defining Specialization in Youth Sports

04:20 Cautionary Tales: The Risks of Over-Specialization

07:12 The Pressure of Performance: Parental Expectations

09:59 Focus vs. Exclusive Grind

12:51 Individual Sports & Specialization

15:26 The Impact of Burnout on Young Athletes

18:36 Awareness and the System: Navigating Youth Sports

21:27 The Importance of Recreational Sports

24:20 Finding Balance: Exposure vs. Development

27:15 Concluding Thoughts: The Path Forward for Parents

Takeaways

-Specialization in youth sports is a nuanced topic.

-Many parents may not openly admit they are pushing specialization.

-Over-specialization can lead to burnout and loss of joy.

-Parental expectations can create pressure on young athletes.

-It's important to define what specialization means.

-Rec sports provide a less stressful environment for kids.

-Burnout is a significant risk for young athletes.

-Self-awareness and awareness of the system is crucial for parents.

-Exposure to various sports can benefit long-term development.

-Finding balance between focus and variety is essential.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100% Free Thinking Tool: The Question Only Conversation. Give it a whirl today and watch your relationship with your teen athlete or performer trend upward!

-Nate & Steve

Ever felt trapped in the "machine" of high performance?! Is that machine raging against you?! Today we explore the complexities of high performance in family dynamics, particularly in the context of youth sports with our ambitious, high achieving teen athletes and performers. We will discuss the risk that is present with ambition but also why you as parents should not necessarily run away from it. Communication and agreements will help you mitigate the risk--they are two critical components to help you avoid the traps in the high performance "machine." Through metaphors of ocean waves and lifeguarding, we will illustrate the need for proactive parenting and the value of regular check-ins to navigate the challenges of highly competitive environments. Let's gooooooooooooooo!

The Timestamps!

00:00 Raging Against the Machine: High Performance and Family Dynamics

03:25 Navigating the Waves: Understanding High Performance Expectations

05:56 The Silent Tension: Communication Gaps in Parenting

09:00 Preparing for the Unexpected: Conversations with Teens

11:45 Lifeguard Parenting: Being Proactive in High Performance Situations

Takeaways

-High performance creates pressure and expectations.

-Parents often unintentionally place their teen athletes in challenging situations.

-Communication gaps can lead to silent tensions in relationships.

-It's important to prepare teens for potential risks in high performance.

-Regular check-ins can help parents understand their teens' pressures.

-Expectations should be replaced with agreements for better understanding.

-Understanding the risks and underlying dynamics of high performance environments is crucial for effective parenting.

-Parents can act as lifeguards, helping their teen athletes navigate challenges.

-Being proactive can prevent kids from getting overwhelmed.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100% Free Thinking Tool: The Question Only Conversation. Give it a whirl today and watch your relationship with your teen athlete or performer trend upward!

-Nate & Steve