#36 - Coaches Kids - The Good, the Hard, and the Unexpected S2.18

What happens when the person driving you to practice is also the one running it? In this special roundtable discussion, Michelle sits down with three athletes—Callie, Emmy, and Jena—to explore the unique experience of being coached by their mothers. The athletes share honest insights about receiving feedback from a parent, navigating the blurred lines between coach and family, dealing with teammates’ perceptions, and learning to separate volleyball conversations from everyday life. While they acknowledge the challenges of heightened expectations and constant proximity, they also reveal the deep gratitude they feel for the time, commitment, and opportunities their moms have provided. Ultimately, the conversation highlights how parent-coach relationships, when built on communication, patience, and mutual respect, can strengthen both athletic development and family bonds.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. The hardest part isn't the coaching—it's separating "Mom" from "Coach."
2. Parent-coaches often push their own children the hardest.
3. Communication and boundaries make all the difference.

"If you wouldn't say it to another player, don't say it to your kid." — a powerful lesson that emerged from the discussion and a reminder for parent-coaches striving to balance accountability with empathy.