Far too many parents pressure and push their athletic kids right out of playing sports. These kids decided it just wasn't worth all the anxiety, the constant demands to be the best, and the demeaning lectures when they didn't perform up to their parents' high expectations. Who can blame them? Unfortunately, these parents who were vicariously living through their kids' athletic achievements cheated them out of the fun, challenge, health benefits, and self-worth that sports can afford.

You need to ask yourself why your daughter's becoming an excellent athlete is so important to you. I would not be satisfied with the obvious, knee-jerk response that you just want to see her utilize all her athletic potential and be as good as she can be. We always need to ask ourselves why a particular issue in our children's lives result in our becoming so excited, worried, angry, or driven. Support your daughter's choices and work ethic in whatever sports that she plays. Kids often get the message that they are only loved and appreciated when they perform up to their parents' lofty expectations. I know that you don't want to send that message to your daughter. Let her play sports. Let her see how she wants to work being an athlete into her considerable challenge of being a teenager. Let her know that you support her regardless of her athletic achievements. Thanks for writing.