Parenting High-Performance Youth: What to avoid!

"As a parent of a Fit Teen and a professional fitness trainer, I believe we have an essential role in the health, happiness and success of our teens. There are some pitfalls that we need to avoid when supporting our teen athletes to ensure their and our mental health."

Deeyana Amosa, Fit Teens Founder

Things to Avoid in Guiding High Performance Youth:

• Living Vicariously Through Your Child: This is THEIR journey, not yours. Resist the urge to push them beyond their limits or fulfill your own unmet athletic aspirations.

• Over-Parenting or Micromanaging: Allow them to take ownership of their sport. Resist the urge to constantly intervene with coaches or overly direct their training.

• Putting Excessive Pressure on Performance: Constant focus on outcomes can create anxiety and stifle enjoyment. Shift the emphasis to effort, learning, and personal growth.

• Comparing Your Child to Others: Every athlete's journey is unique. Focus on their individual progress and celebrate their personal achievements.

• Focusing on only one sport. The downside to specialising and focusing exclusively on one sport too early is that it may cease to be fun for the teen. Support their interest in other sports or activities for balance, enjoyment and fitness.

• Neglecting Family Time and Balance: High-performance sport can consume a lot of time. Make a conscious effort to maintain family time, non-sport related activities, and balance for everyone.

Remember Your Own Well-being!

Parenting a high-performance athlete is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't forget to take care of yourself too!

• Prioritise Self-Care: Ensure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in activities you enjoy. You can't pour from an empty cup.

• Seek Support: Connect with other parents of high-performance athletes. Share experiences, offer support, enjoy the side-line and build a community.

• Celebrate the Wins (Big and Small): Acknowledge and appreciate the incredible journey you and your FitTeen are on. Celebrate their achievements and your own role in their success.

Parenting a high-performance athlete is an incredible privilege and adventure. By embracing your role as a supportive, balanced, and emotionally intelligent parent, you can help your FitTeen athlete thrive both on and off the field, court, track, or pool, and create lasting positive memories for your entire family. Enjoy the journey!