Ep 6: From Crazy Sports Parents to Learning to Let Go
We didn’t plan on being those sports parents.
But somewhere between shouting encouragement from the sidelines, replaying games on the ride home, and hoping for just one more tournament win, we crossed some lines. Not always big ones. But small enough and often enough to make us look back now and think: we could’ve done that better.
This episode of Running Ahrens is our honest reflection on parenting through sports. The wins, the mess-ups, the sidelines, the pressure, and how we slowly learned to let go (and still cheer like crazy).
The Missed Shot
We start with a moment that’s stayed with Sarah for years: a grainy VHS clip of Sarah’s last high school basketball game. Final seconds. A missed game-winning layup. It felt like failure for a long time.
But when we rewatched it together, we saw something different, her hustle, leadership, and heart. We saw who she really was as an athlete. And more than that, who she was becoming.
It reminded us how often we, and our kids, define a moment by its worst second, instead of the bigger story.
What We Got Right (and What We Didn’t)
We showed up. We clapped and cheered (sometimes too loudly!). We did all the things sports parents do. But we also put pressure where we should’ve put support. We let our own pasts shape our expectations of our kids. We confused pushing for encouragement.
We reflect on:
Times we cheered like crazy (and maybe embarrassed them a little)
Times we pushed too hard because of what we missed out on
Times we thought effort and excellence were the same thing
And how we’re slowly learning to parent with more presence and less pressure
One Ride Home Changed Our View
There’s a short video we share in this episode called The Ride Home. It didn’t haunt us, but it felt way too familiar.
A kid climbs into the car after a game. He’s quiet. The parent starts talking, breaking down plays, offering “help.” You can almost feel the kid shrinking.
We’ve been there. We’ve done that.
And now? We do our best to make the ride home a space for support, not a second scoreboard.
Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning):
Let your child’s sports story be theirs—not a second chance at yours
Being present > being perfect
The sidelines are for cheering, not coaching (Car rides home too)
Your kid wants to be seen, not studied
A well-timed “I love watching you play” goes further than you think
For All the Parents in the Stands
If you’ve ever replayed the game instead of just riding home in peace…
If you’ve ever wanted something so badly for your kid that you forgot to ask what they wanted…
If you’ve ever felt unsure of how to support your child without pushing too hard—
You’re not alone.
This episode is for you.
Because we’re all learning. We’re all doing the best we can. And we believe every parent deserves the grace to grow—just like our kids do.
So wherever you are in your parenting journey—on the sidelines, in the stands, or just trying to keep up with the schedule—we hope this reminds you that your love, your presence, and your effort matter more than perfection ever will.
Thanks for being here. We’re cheering for you.
Justin & Sarah