Champion Parent Note 1.18.22

Volume 21, Issue 18 | January 18, 2022

Decision Fatigue

Steps for Sports Parents to Assist in Making Decisions

Parenting in the pandemic era has been hard. For nearly two years, parents have been forced to make difficult decisions regarding school, social interactions and activities such as sports, all while trying to manage changes to to their own life and work schedules. This additional stress on even simple decisions has a cumulative impact; it's a concept psychologists call decision fatigue. The term describes how after making many decisions, our ability to continue making decisions gets worse (American Medical Association). It's also why we feel exhausted, overwhelmed or anxious when we have too many choices to make.

With the latest variant of COVID-19 wreaking havoc on school and sports schedules across the country, now is a good time to pause and reflect on how we're being impacted and how we can take steps to improve our mental health. In the short video above, Dr. Amanda Zelechoski shares 7 decision-making tips for parents to avoid decision fatigue. Zelechoski is a professor, author and speaker who also co-founded Pandemic Parenting as a free resource for parents. Consider how adopting at least a few of these simple steps can help ease some of your day-to-day decision making as a parent. Doing so will help to relieve anxiety and allow you to enjoy time with your children.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Join Play Like a Champion's Kristin Sheehan for Upcoming Session

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 19th at 11:00 am EST our own Kristin Sheehan will be featured in a special online presentation titled Addressing Racism: A Coach's Journey Toward Kinship. The virtual presentation is being hosted by the Catholic National Athletic Association (CNAA), which provides opportunities for professional development and education as part of its mission to represent the voice of Catholic Educational Athletics in local, regional and national governing bodies. During this presentation, attendees will learn how Catholic Social Teaching demands that we address racism as a core justice issue within our sports communities. Coaches will be equipped with the resources to have an honest, open conversation with their student-athletes on race and racism through a peace circle listening session so that all members of a group feel heard and experience a place of belonging. The session will conclude with imaginative prayer based on Ignatian contemplation rooted in social justice and inclusivity. Those interested can register to attend this free Zoom presentation via the link below!

A Prayer for Parents

God, I thank you for the wonderful blessing it is to watch my children play sports. Thank you for the smile that it brings to their face and for the ways in which sports help them to grow in virtue and skill. I ask that as they participate you protect them from injury and harm and bless them with the grace to reach their full potential. Bless their coaches that they may embrace their role and have the courage to always do what is right for the children you have entrusted to their care. Grant all sports parents the graces we need to be supportive and to have perspective. May we seek not our own will for our child, but yours, and in doing so be freed to let them enjoy this experience no matter the result. May each of us - child, coach and parent - glorify you through our actions and come to know you better through this experience. I ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Play Like a Champion's "Daily Prayers for Champions" page has been updated! Visit www.playlikeachampion.org/daily-prayers for more than 200 prayers plus resources that can help you and your team grow closer to God while participating in sports.

Access Resources & Learn More at www.playlikeachampion.org

Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series

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