This Week’s Playbook. As we dive into the new year, “making youth sports more affordable” is top of mind. So this week we share some valuable lessons from years of sports parenting: 1) the most expensive sports programs are frequently not the best 2) don’t make your child feel guilty about the money you spend on their sports programs….the decision is always up to you. Check out some other tips below.

“Youth sports already give kids plenty of challenges. The role of a parent is not to add pressure. It is to create stability, perspective, and space for growth.”

—Ian Goldberg, Signature Media | Read More →

Can you share what drives your family's snacking habits and purchases. And as a thank you for completing our 1 minute survey, we'll share a free gift.....what else, a free bag of snacks.

There's a word that makes sports parents nervous: affordability. It sounds like cutting corners. Settling for less. Going cheap. But that's not what it means at all. Affordability is about spending with intention, putting your money toward what actually matters (quality coaching, the right gear, experiences that build love for the game) and saying no to the stuff that doesn't. We break down the difference between cutting corners and making smart decisions, where your dollars tend to do the most good, and what you can probably skip without your kid missing a beat. If youth sports spending has ever stressed you out, this one's for you.

—Ian Goldberg

Or find other tips for sideline parents here:

"We're paying a lot of money for this, so you better take it seriously." If you've ever said it (or thought it), you're not alone. Youth sports are expensive, and it's natural to want your kid to appreciate the investment. But here's the problem: kids don't think in dollars. They think in feelings. And when the feeling they associate with sports is pressure, obligation, or guilt, they're not going to stick around. We break down what to say, what to avoid, and how to reframe the whole conversation so sports stay fun, exploratory, and totally theirs. Leave the invoice out of it.

—Maddie Soviero

Or add some other tools to your athlete’s toolbox:

Ian Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief

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