RESOURCES
Here are some resources to become more MINDFUL as a SPORT PARENT!
Click the images to visit each resource!
BOOKS
101 Ways to be a Terrific Sports Parent: Making Athletics a Positive Experience for Youth Child
This book explains why parents are so important in their athlete’s sport experience and gives practical ways to play a positive role in your child’s life (101 of them!) This book is great for parents searching for practical ways to be a good sport parent. This book is written by a sport psychologist and he lays it out in simple steps as to what you can do to be the best sport parent possible.
#HeySportsParents: An Essential Guide for Any Parent with a Child in Sports
This quick read includes two sections written by sport psychologist experts that would be great additions to the sport parenting tool box. The first section covers the basics of parenting a young athlete, followed by the second section that dives into the physical dangers of overtraining and other common issues involved in youth sports and how, as a parent, you can help to avoid them.
Let Them Play: The Mindful Way to Parent Kids for Fun and Success in Sports
This book is for parents wanting to implement the advice of being a supporting sport parent, but sometimes can let their emotions get the best of them. This book gives practical advice to parents on how to transform into a loving and supporting parent and how to manage your emotions surrounding your child’s sport.
The Pitchers Mom
If you’re wondering, has anyone else been feeling the rollercoaster of the sport parenting life? Then this book is for you. It’s written by a fellow sport parent to give a real-life experience of what the ins and outs of being a baseball mom are truly like.
Feeding the Young Athlete: Sports Nutrition Made Easy for Players, Parents, and Coaches
Have you ever wondered, what am I really supposed to feed my child? The world of sports nutrition is a deep and difficult hole to navigate. This book lays out sports nutrition in 10 easy nutrition guidelines to feed your child and answers the burning nutrition questions that no one really seems to know the answers to.
MOVIES
State of Play: Trophy Kids
This documentary shows the extreme side of sport parenting. Maybe you can relate to this movie from seeing other parents acting like this in your child’s sports, or maybe you’ve done some of these things yourself in your child’s sports. Either way, this documentary is probably relatable and a great watch while being involved in the sport parenting world.
King Richard
This fictional movie is an inspiring story of an extremely dedicated sports family. It is based on the famous tennis players Serena and Venus Williams childhood story and how they turned into iconic tennis players. This movie is super inspiring for all sports parents and defiantly worth the watch.
The Truth about Sports Parents
This video is so adorable and comes from the children themselves! In this honest video kids share what they want to see from their parents while involved in their sports. It’s a quick watch but you’ll definitely remember the way you feel about what these kids have to say about their sports parents.
WEBSITES
The Aspen Institute - Project Play
Project Play develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps build healthy communities through sports. Through research, dialogue, resources, thought leadership, and network-building, Project Play equips you to navigate the world of Youth Sports!
I Love To Watch You Play
This website is a great complement to mindful sport parenting to help guide your sport parenting journey! They offer blogs, videos, and podcasts to help give you more information to help you make informed decisions when parenting your young athlete. They give lots of great perspectives from the kids themselves!
Mind-Design Sports
This website is an amazing place to introduce yourself and your children to the sport psychology world! This website is made to help educate young athletes on the benefits of the mental game. They have blogs, podcasts, and a unique mentorship program to help athletes learn all of the benefits they can gain by using their minds while competing.
Zen Zone Digital
This sport psychology website takes an emphasis on mindfulness approach based on Dr. Heil’s experience working with Olympic athletes. This website contains training guides for athletes on how to be mindful during sports to get to their best selves.
