Confidence: A Parent’s Guide

As I travel and speak around the country, one of the biggest concerns many parents and coaches talk to me about is their child's or athlete's lack of confidence. They see lack of confidence (fear, hesitation, worry, doubt) as one of the most important factors and are not quite sure how to help. It is very difficult for parents of athletes to watch their sons and daughters not perform to their potential, or to try to compete without truly believing in themselves, or play fearfully. They want them to succeed in sport and confidence is obviously important for athletic success. It is helpful to have confidence as an athlete but even more important for them to be able to carry that over into adult life. A lot of who we are is woven in childhood by people who should really care. We all want to raise confident kids and I believe that parents, coaches and athletes are all capable of doing things that are necessary to build self confidence.