When Your Kids Don’t Have a “Normal” Childhood: Navigating Life as an Athlete Parent

👉 Being a professional or elite athlete is not just hard on you — it’s also hard on your kids. 

👉 While some people think being an athlete’s child means a life of privilege, the reality is often very complicated:

🚩 Frequent relocations. 

🚩 Long periods of absence from one parent. 

🚩 Public attention, media comments, and sometimes hate online. 

🚩 Pressure to "live up" to your name or deal with judgment at school.

💥 Here’s how to think about these challenges and what you can do to protect and support your kids through it all.

1. First: You’re Not a Bad Parent Because Your Life Is Different

👉 You may feel guilty sometimes — but loving your career AND your kids doesn’t make you a bad parent. 

👉 You’re working hard to build a life for them — but it’s okay to admit this life comes with unique challenges for them too.

💥 Acknowledging that this life is hard for them is how you start supporting them better.

2. What Makes Your Kids' Experience Different?

Here are the real struggles that many athlete kids face — even if they love and admire you:

🚩 A. Moving Often — Never Feeling Fully Settled

👉 Changing cities, countries, schools, and friends. 

👉 Feeling like they always have to start over. 

👉 Never feeling fully "at home" anywhere.

💥 It’s hard to build deep friendships when you’re always on the move.

🚩 B. One Parent Is Often Gone — Missing Moments

👉 You being away for games, training camps, and travel. 

👉 Missing school plays, birthdays, or even everyday things like helping with homework. 

👉 Feeling the absence of one parent while the other handles everything alone.

💥 Even if they understand why you’re gone, it can still hurt.

🚩 C. Public Scrutiny — People Talking About You Online, on TV, or at School

👉 Kids seeing or hearing people say good or bad things about you. 

👉 Strangers online making cruel comments or false stories about you — and they see it. 

👉 Teachers, parents, or classmates treating them differently because of who you are — sometimes with jealousy or unfair expectations.

💥 Imagine being 10 years old and hearing classmates repeat something mean about your parent they saw on TV — it’s heavy.

🚩 D. Pressure to Be Like You — or Live Up to Your Name

👉 People assuming they should be "just as good" at sports. 

👉 Feeling like they have to be perfect because of who their parent is. 

👉 Losing their own identity — feeling known only as "the athlete’s kid."

💥 This can create a lot of anxiety, self-doubt, or resentment.

3. What You Can Do to Support Your Kids Through This Life

✅ A. Talk Openly About the Reality of Your Career

👉 Explain why you travel, why you move, and that it’s okay if they struggle with it.

💬 “I know it’s hard to move and be away from friends — if you’re upset, you can always tell me.”

💥 Let them feel what they feel — without guilt.

✅ B. Create Routines and Traditions — So They Feel Stability

👉 Even if you move, have small family rituals that stay the same:

• Pizza night.

• Bedtime calls when you’re away.

• Special goodnight messages or songs.

💥 These small things give them a sense of home, even when home changes.

✅ C. Protect Their Privacy — and Set Boundaries with Media

👉 Be mindful of how much of their life is public. 

👉 Say no to media requests that involve them if they don’t want it. 

👉 Teach them how to handle rude or invasive questions:

💬 “You don’t have to answer anyone’s questions about me. It’s okay to say, ‘That’s private.’”

💥 They deserve their own space and life.

✅ D. Reassure Them They Don’t Have to Be You

👉 Remind them they don’t need to be an athlete if they don’t want to.

💬 “I’m proud of you for being you — no matter what you choose to do.”

💥 Take the pressure off — they’re their own person.

✅ E. Make Time for One-on-One Moments

👉 Even if you’re busy, small moments count:

• A 10-minute call to hear about their day.

• Sending a video message before a big test or event.

• Planning special activities when you’re home — just the two of you.

💥 Presence over perfection.

✅ F. Help Them Manage Negative Comments or Bullying

👉 Teach them what to do if people make rude comments:

💬 “If people say something mean about me or you, remember — they don’t know our family. You can always talk to me about it.”

👉 Get support from schools if needed — they should protect your child from bullying or unfair treatment.

4. Final Words — Your Kids Are Living a Unique Life, But You Can Help Them Thrive

💥 No, their life isn’t "normal" — but that’s okay. It can still be full of love, strength, and resilience. 

💥 What matters most is that they feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are — not just as "the athlete's kid." 

💥 You don’t have to be perfect — but being aware, open, and loving goes a long way.

5. Take These Reminders With You

🟢 “My kids are allowed to struggle with this life — and I will support them.” 

🟢 “Small moments of love and connection matter, even when I’m away.” 

🟢 “I can help protect their privacy and teach them how to handle public pressure.” 

🟢 “They don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations — just be themselves.” 

🟢 “We are in this together — I’m here for them.”