A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE
Burnout can change how a child feels about practices, games, and the sport they once enjoyed. It deserves attention rather than a quick push through.
A parent can start by getting curious: what has changed, what feels heavy, and what support might help?
This page is not a substitute for professional guidance. When a child’s physical or mental health needs attention, families can seek appropriate support.
What sports parents should know
- Exhaustion and disengagement are signals worth noticing.
- Curiosity can open a more useful conversation than pressure.
- Health and well-being belong in every sports decision.
YOUR HAPPY MOMENT
Create one protected break from sports talk this week and let your child decide if they want to bring it up.
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.