A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE
Sports parents make decisions in a fast-moving environment, often with incomplete information and plenty of outside pressure.
This question is an opportunity to return to the child at the center of the journey. What do they need? What do they want? What is helping them grow?
A parent does not need to make every decision perfectly. They can slow down, get informed, and choose what fits their family.
What sports parents should know
- Fear and urgency can make decision-making harder.
- The child’s experience belongs at the center of the conversation.
- Informed, values-based choices can be more helpful than reacting to pressure.
YOUR HAPPY MOMENT
Before making the next sports decision, name one family value you want it to protect.
Trusted resources
Disclaimer
The Valiant Parent reflects Todd Merkow’s personal perspective as a former sports parent, including lessons learned and things he might approach differently looking back. It is intended to help parents think, ask questions and find trusted information—not to provide medical or mental health advice. When a child’s physical or emotional well-being is a concern, parents should seek guidance from an appropriate qualified professional.
Original transcript
The original video transcript will be added when the Valiant Parent video is supplied.