What happens when the sport your child loves starts becoming who they believe they are? In the Season 1 finale of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu explore one of the most important challenges in youth sports parenting: helping young athletes separate their identity and self-worth from their athletic performance. Sports can
When does pushing your child help them grow, and when does it start taking the joy out of the game? In Episode 11 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu talk about burnout in young athletes and the pressure that can slowly turn a sport a child loves into something they no
You want to help your child succeed. Their coach does too. So why can the parent-coach relationship sometimes feel so complicated? In Episode 10 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu draw from 36 years of combined coaching experience to share what coaches wish sports parents understood. From coaching your child from
How much is screen time affecting your young athlete’s development? In Episode 9 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu explore the relationship between screen time, youth sports, and athletic development—from social media and smartphones to gaming, YouTube, and TV. They discuss how excessive screen time can compete with physical activity, sleep,
Does your child really need travel sports to develop, get exposure, or compete at the next level? In Episode 8 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu take an honest look at the growing world of travel teams and club sports. They unpack the pressure many sports parents feel to keep up,
Should your child focus on one sport early, or play multiple sports? In Episode 7 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu tackle one of the biggest questions in youth sports parenting. They discuss the benefits of playing multiple sports, the risks of early specialization, and how parents can help young athletes
Few things are harder for a sports parent than watching their child sit on the bench. In Episode 6 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu discuss how parents can respond when their child isn’t getting enough playing time, why managing expectations matters, and how these moments can build resilience, character, and
Every young athlete experiences fear: fear of failure, fear of making mistakes, fear of letting teammates down. The goal isn’t to eliminate that fear, it’s to teach kids how to move forward despite it. In Episode 5 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu explore how parents can help young athletes build
Every young athlete will experience losses, mistakes, and disappointing performances. What matters most is how they learn to respond. In Episode 4 of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu explore how parents can help children build resilience, develop a growth mindset, and process failure in healthy ways. Through personal stories and practical
What should parents say after the game? In this episode of the Parenting Athletes Podcast, Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu explore why the car ride home may be the most important moment in a young athlete’s journey. They discuss how parents can create a safe space for connection instead of criticism, why listening often matters
