The emotional, social, physical and academic benefits of youth sports are well documented. But the rising costs of participating are undermining young athletes' access to sports and its benefits.

That's the message from Christy Keswick, president and co-founder of the nonprofit Good Sports. She shares the results of a Harris Poll that found 90% of sports parents polled understand the benefits of sports, but 75% are considering withdrawing their kids from sports because of high costs.

She explains what's driving up costs and how parents can work to provide less expensive programs in schools and recreational leagues.

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Young athletes lack competitiveness in sports in part because they compare themselves to others, when they need to focus on their own strengths. They also overthink and focus on negative "what if" statements.

Georgia Miller, a mental performance coach with PeakSports.com, explains the mental game issues that contribute to lack of competitiveness and how to overcome the challenges.

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https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/

Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts:

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Visit our blog:

https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/

Gifted kids often focus exclusively on sports and fail to make friends or participate in other activities, said Susan Williams, a clinical hypnotherapist at SportHypnotherapy.com.

Parents and coaches need to encourage them to try other activities and to develop a circle of supportive friends, she said. She uses hypnotherapy to put kids in a light trance that opens them to new possibilities.

Send us podcast guest ideas:https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/

Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/