How to raise a confident athlete | E02

Every parent wants their child to be confident. But what if some of the things we're doing to build confidence are actually making things worse?

In Episode 2 of RAC Taught Me, Coach RAC shares four common mistakes sports parents make and answers real listener questions about raising confident young athletes.

From the dreaded car ride home after a bad game to dealing with discouraging coaches, negative teammates, and the pressure to perform, we explore how parents can help their kids develop confidence that lasts beyond the baseball field.

We also discuss supporting neurodivergent athletes, overcoming negative self-talk, and why having fun might be one of the most overlooked ways to help kids perform their best.

Chapters (approximate):

00:00 — Are Parents Hurting Their Kids' Confidence?

01:37 — Mistake #1: The Car Ride Home

03:04 — Mistake #2: Protecting Kids From Failure

05:30 — Mistake #3: Comparing Your Kids to Others

06:35 — Mistake #4: Projecting Your Dreams Onto Your Kids

07:31 — When Teammates Tear Your Kid Down (Tessa)

12:57 — Dealing With Negative Coaches (Alana)

15:12 — Helping Kids Find Confidence Through Fun (Travis)

17:25 — When Your Kid Is Their Own Worst Critic (Gabriel)

19:59 — Overcoming Game-Day Anxiety (Michelle)

23:18 — The Foundation of Lasting Confidence

Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Follow Coach RAC on Instagram and join the "Comeback Tour" group for opportunities to submit your voice memos.

Follow RAC Taught Me for conversations about sports, faith, parenting, and life.