After tryouts: they made the team. What to say.
What to say when your kid makes the team. The script that celebrates without piling on pressure for what comes next.
What they're feeling
- · Relieved more than excited, at least at first.
- · Wondering what their role will be.
- · Maybe guilty if a friend got cut.
- · Wanting you to be proud without making it a bigger deal than they're ready for.
What to say (pick one)
- "You earned it. That's yours."
- "I'm really proud of how you showed up this week."
- "Let's celebrate. What do you want for dinner?"
Then stop talking.
What not to say
- "Now you need to work twice as hard to stay on it."
- "I knew you'd make it. The coaches would be crazy not to take you."
- "Did your friend make it too?"
The rule
Let the good news be the whole story today. Don't attach the next challenge to it.
If they bring it up
- · If they bring up a friend who got cut, don't make it awkward. Say it's hard and leave space.
- · If they ask about starting or their role, say that gets figured out in practice.
- · Keep the first day celebration simple.
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When they make the team
- · Celebrate the result. Save the expectations for another day.
- · Don't project their whole season onto this moment.
- · If a friend got cut, let them have their feelings about that without rushing to fix it.
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