Raising Happy Athletes

By Tyler S. Stahle in the Winter 2026 Issue

1. Keep it fun, and keep friends close. “Two of the biggest reasons kids play sports are simple,” Seeley says. “They want to be with their friends, and they want to have fun.” Parents who focus too much on winning or advancement risk losing those two primary motivations. “If you’re not checking those boxes, the data suggest that your kids are less likely to stay in sports.”