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“Youth sports are not only about building better athletes. They are about building young people who know how to work hard, handle disappointment, celebrate others, support a team, and keep going.” ~Dr. Catherine V. Addor We often measure youth sports by scores, placements, trophies, titles, and advancement. We ask who won, who qualified, who made the team, and who earned the highest score. Those things matter. Young athletes should be encouraged to set goals, work hard, compe

Leadership and life both teach a difficult lesson about expectations. Many of us show up fully for others. We celebrate their successes, offer support during hard moments, send the message, make the call, and give our time and energy without hesitation. Sometimes that care is returned. Sometimes it is not. When support is not reciprocated, it can feel personal. Many adults respond by expressing frustration publicly or privately. Social media posts appear about wishing people

We were at Sesame Place, sitting in the theater, watching the Mr. Noodle/Elmo show. My daughter was six, shy, soft-cheeked, and uncertain about things that involved bright lights and an audience. When Mr. Noodle scanned the crowd for a helper and pointed at her, she immediately buried her head in my armpit. He paused. The moment hung there, an invitation slowly slipping away as his hand drifted toward another child. Something in me knew: this was one of those moments. The kin