The Rocky Road of Sport Parents’ Retirement Journey
Have you ever considered, what happens when this is all over? The transition out of sports can be a very difficult experience for both the child and their parents
The retirement from sports is an inevitable experience of all athletes and sport parents. The purpose of this article is to address how an athlete’s retirement affects parents’ experiences through this transition.
This article’s intention is to show you examples of how this transition has impacted former sport parents and lends tips on what exactly to do when this transition takes place.
This article provides clarity on what to expect and what to do when your child retires from sports. Unfortunately, sports are still an emotional rollercoaster even when your child retires. Overall, having open communication as a supportive team through the issues that come up, may result in a more positive experience for both the athletes and parents during the retirement transition.
PRESS PAUSE:
Take a second to reflect on if you have thought about your child retiring from sports.
PONDER:
How does this make you feel about your child’s retirement from sports one day?
PRACTICE:
The best thing parents can do is be there for their child, listen to how they are feeling, and support them through the transition :) It’s tough for everyone involved, but just keep being your child’s rock and make sure they know they can talk to you about anything.
Article Citation: Brown, C. J., Webb, T. L., Robinson, M. A., & Cotgreave, R. (2019). Athletes’ retirement from Elite Sport: A qualitative study of parents and partners’ experiences. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 40, 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.09.005