If you are a parent of an athlete I have a great tip for you.
On the car ride home after a game… hold your tongue.
My biggest regret as a parent is that I talked way too much about my kids’ performance after games they played. And specifically, I focused way too hard on explaining exactly what they should have done differently and better.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself: Just shut up, Jon!
Let them enjoy the game. Let them enjoy the moment. All my words taught them during those car rides was that they should ground their identity in their performance. That idea was poison for their pure love of the game.
So don’t make the mistake I did. Don’t talk at your kids after a game. Don’t analyze. Just tell them you love watching them play and make them feel loved.