4 Essential Communication Tools for Parents with Sidelined Athletes

1: Understanding the Emotional Toll of Time Away from Sport 

Being a competitive athlete shapes a child’s identity. When they are sidelined—due to injury, burnout, or life changes—the emotional impact can be profound. It’s important for parents to recognize this shift not as a lack of resilience but as a natural response to losing a core aspect of their routine and identity. 

Empathy is key: Try to understand the gravity of what they’re going through. Imagine a world without your main passion. 

Communication tool to validate their emotions:

Avoid minimizing their feelings: Phrases like “It’s just a break” or “You’ll be back soon” can feel dismissive. 

Validate their emotions: Let them know it’s okay to feel frustrated, sad, or even lost. 

2: Creating a Safe Space for Open Dialogue 

For your child to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions, they need to know that they can speak without fear of judgment or immediate solutions being imposed. 

Communication tool for fostering open discussions:

Use open-ended questions: “How are you feeling about being away from your sport?” instead of “Are you sad you’re not playing?” 

Active listening: Focus on listening without immediately offering advice or solutions. 

Non-verbal cues: Maintain eye contact, nod, and use affirming gestures that show you’re present and engaged. 

Check-ins without pressure: Make time to talk, but avoid overloading them with questions if they aren’t ready to open up. 

3: Encouraging Emotional Expression and Coping 

Athletes often bottle up emotions, fearing they’ll be seen as weak. Parents can encourage healthy emotional expression by normalizing their feelings and introducing constructive outlets. 

Communiation tool for emotional expression: 

Share personal experiences: You might share a time when you faced a challenge and how expressing your emotions helped. 

Journaling: Encourage them to write down their thoughts, frustrations, or victories, helping them process emotions. 

4: Managing Expectations and Goals 

Your child’s athletic career, whether temporarily paused or permanently altered, doesn’t define their worth. It’s crucial to help them explore new goals without pushing them prematurely toward new objectives or back to their sport. 

Communciation tool for supporting life outside of sport:

Creative outlets: Suggest non-sport-related activities that still allow them to channel their energy and creativity, such as music or art.