Demystifying Mental Toughness1 Aug 2025

289 How To Support Children To Enjoy A Positive Relationship With Sport

In episode 289 of Demystifying Mental Toughness, the founder of Parents in Sport, Gordon MacLelland, shared his journey from having a promising sports career, to coaching and teaching to supporting parenting in sports. He emphasized the importance of understanding individual children's motivations when considering their sporting experience. Also highlighted were the challenges of balancing fun and competitive pressures. The conversation underscored the importance of self-awareness as a parent and being an intentional in the love and support that you offer your children, as a parent in sports, whilst accepting that you and your child are human.

Additionally, David and Gordon stress the benefits of participating in sports on child's character and mental toughness development, over winning, and the need for realistic expectations.

Key Learning Points:

· Understand your child's motivations for playing sports and why they do it.

· Have regular check-ins with your child to understand how their motivations may change over time.

· Avoid asking questions like "Did you win?" or "Were you the best?" and instead focus on character traits with questions such as "When were you brave?" or statements "I noticed how you bounced back positively after your team lost the first goal by the way you were calling for the ball.

· Be mindful of the timing and approach when having difficult conversations with your child about their sports performance.

· Recognize that success in sports should not be solely defined by performance outcomes, and focus on the wider benefits of participation.

Connect with Gordon MacLelland

Parents In Sport Website

Connect with David Charlton

Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN

Useful Youth Sport Psychology Resource

Youth Sport Motivation Checklist

Parental Sport Motivation Checklist

Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children

Ep288: Duncan O'Brien - How To Overcome Intense Emotions From Football

Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive

Ep280: Colm O'Donoghue - How To Help A Young Golfer Who Struggles Playing Strokeplay

Ep279: Ger Fitzgerald - How To Help A Young Cricketer Overcome Selection Difficulties

Ep233: David Charlton - How To Help A Young Footballer Overcome Fear

Relevant Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children

Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Blog - 9 Tips for Children from Olympians

Blog - 5 Tips for Parents to Help their Children Perform with Confidence

Blog – How to Help Young Footballers Find the Zone

Blog – How do You Give a Young Golfer Self Confidence

Youth Sports Psychology Library – For Parents

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