car ride home

At SPMI, one of the most common mistakes we observe among parents and caregivers occurs during the car ride home after competitions. For many young athletes, this can be one of the most emotionally intense moments in their entire sports experience. 

Over the years, numerous athletes have expressed their discomfort with these situations, and sport psychology research has explored how parental communication immediately following competition can significantly impact an athlete’s confidence, motivation, and long-term enjoyment of their sport.