Blogs

As a Boston based rock climber, I spend much of my free time outdoors in dense New England forests, and I come in contact with all types of biting insects. I’ve felt the sting of black flies and the maddening itch of no-see-ums, and have been chased back to my car by clouds of swarming mosquitoes. I usually come back from my trips sore, scratched and bitten, my fingertips worn thin, but safe.

Often I hear team sport athletes talk about how difficult it is to perform their skill set in competition on a consistent basis. I have frequently witnessed many of them (team sport athletes, and even entire teams) ride a wave of inconsistency playing well one night and completely opposite the next.

It is during this up and down performance rollercoaster that I find myself asking questions like, What if?, How come?, Why is that so? and Is there a better way? As a former athlete, coach, and teacher, it is simply part of my nature to ask such questions.

There are many people on this website more qualified than I to give advice on how parents can help their children become successful individuals (athletics being only a part of that formula). I would like to discuss the flip side: how to maintain a balanced lifestyle as the parent of athletes (thereby raising well-adjusted and happy kids!). It's not an easy task.