The Parallels of Coaching and Parenting

The Parallels of Coaching & Parenting

As a father of young children and as a youth coach by profession, I am given the opportunity to observe and learn from a variety of parenting techniques.

Though no two parents have the same approach, even within the same household, the majority of households desire similar results when it comes to the overall performance of their children.

I have witnessed that there is a societal bonus for children who perform on the higher end of the athletic spectrum at an early age but in my opinion, the importance of one’s performance in life, as a citizen, outweighs that of athleticism. We have all witnessed an athletic hero fall from grace. We don’t vilify our athletes for being injured but when there is a personal mishap, the media is quick to bring it to our attention and we instinctively judge, smear, reject and separate ourselves from the love that we once had for them.

This happens in other professions as well but let us focus on sports because I believe at the foundation of good coaching we will find a discipline rooted in respect, hard work, integrity, dedication, trust, accountability, team play, competition and other traits we would like to see our children possess.

I have so many questions and theories about how to navigate the greatest challenge I’ve taken on willingly. But there is no blueprint for parenting and no two kids are the same. I have decided that I’m going to talk about my parenting journey. Things I’ve learned, mistakes I’ve made, and accomplishments as well as failures from which we’ve learned from and in turn help us to grow. Why? Because more than a fitness and life coach, I am an accountability coach. I want to be the best parent that I can be and at this moment everything else is secondary.