The 24-Hour Rule: Why You Should Never Talk to Your Kid After a Game | Ep 18

Episode 1 of our Communication Mastery Series.

Ever wondered why your well-intended advice falls flat after your child's big game? The answer lies in neuroscience. When athletes experience disappointment, their amygdala—the brain's emotional center—floods and temporarily shuts down the logical reasoning centers. Your thoughtful analysis isn't just unwanted; it's neurologically impossible for them to process.

Welcome to the first installment of our 6-part Communication Mastery series. Today, Coach Carl Parker introduces the game-changing 24-hour rule: no performance analysis, coaching, or "helping" for 24 hours after competitions. This simple timing shift creates the space your athlete needs for emotional processing before logical discussion can begin.

Instead of dissecting performance, try these alternatives: tell them "I love watching you play," focus on effort rather than outcome, or simply change the subject entirely with "You hungry? What sounds good?" These approaches acknowledge their experience without demanding immediate processing. The goal isn't to ignore what happened but to respect their brain's natural recovery timeline.

What makes this approach powerful is how it transforms your relationship. By giving athletes control over when they process their sporting experiences, you build trust. Many parents discover their children initiate these conversations at unexpected moments—during shared activities or late at night when defenses naturally lower. Creating an environment where these conversations happen organically leads to deeper connection and more meaningful growth.

Ready to transform your approach to post-game conversations? Start with 24 minutes if 24 hours feels impossible. Next week's episode will provide word-for-word scripts for seven challenging conversations every sports parent faces. Subscribe now so you don't miss these communication game-changers that will strengthen your relationship with your young athlete!

BONUSES:

- The FREE Game Day Guide is LIVE https://wecoachparents.com/gameready

- Offseason Impact Quiz (FREE) https://www.myathletescorecard.com/

Hear more from Coach Parker on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@itscoachparker

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itscoachparker/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachparker

Got questions for us?
Email us at Carl@drivewaydads.com with your question, and you might hear the answer on one of our next epidsodes!

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