by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
Coaching youth sports, especially at the elementary level, is far more complex than drawing up plays on a clipboard. It requires a clear understanding of child psychology, physical development, and emotional needs. Unfortunately, well-meaning coaches sometimes fall...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
It’s a scenario almost every sports parent faces eventually: halfway through the season, your child looks at you and says, “I don’t want to go to practice anymore.” Your immediate reaction might be to push back with “We don’t quit what we...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
As parents, we want the absolute best for our kids. We want to see them shine, overcome challenges, and succeed on the big stage. But there’s a fine line between supporting our kids and overburdening them with unreasonable expectations. Dr. Jon Skidmore put it plainly...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
Every athlete who walks into the gym brings a unique energy. Some kids naturally charge toward the ball with high intensity, while others hold back, observing from the sidelines. As parents and coaches, it’s easy to label a passive kid as...
by Ashley Oxford | Parents of Student-Athletes
When we watch our elementary kids step onto the court or field, it’s easy to get caught up in the wins, the missed shots, or the potential we see in them. But as a parent, your primary job at this early stage is protecting their joy and guiding their emotional growth....
