Teen sleep isn’t just “discipline”—it’s biology. We unpack the teen brain, circadian shifts, recovery, and why inconsistent schedules sabotage energy and focus. We also talk school start times and the ripple effects on mental health and performance. Then we translate it into practical routines you can actually implement by sharing our Sleep Starter Pack with you. Let's go Most Valuable Parents!!!!

The Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Sleep for Performance

03:12 Understanding Recovery and Brain Development

05:55 Equipping Teens for Better Sleep

08:43 The Impact of Sleep on Mental Health and Injury Prevention

10:57 The Role of Consistency in Sleep Patterns

13:13 Advocating for Later School Start Times

15:35 The Sleep Starter Pack: Practical Tips for Parents

Takeaways

-Equipping kids with energy is crucial for performance.

-Sleep is essential for brain development and recovery.

-Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep for optimal health.

-Sleep problems can lead to emotional and mental health issues.

-Inadequate sleep increases the risk of injury in teens.

-Consistency in sleep schedules is vital for teens.

-School start times should be later to benefit students.

-Parents should engage in conversations about sleep with their teens.

-Creating a sleep starter pack can help facilitate discussions.

-Understanding the biological needs of teens can improve sleep habits.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

In this episode--the third in a series about playing time--we get blunt and right to the truth about the fact that parents struggle to stay neutral. Confirmation bias creeps in and rescuing becomes a habit. What follows is pressure and tension in every conversation or or coach bashing ensues. You love them so much and your intentions are pure, but why is this not working? Much of it is the proximity of you to them and the emotions swirling around in this relationship.

So we give you a better play: protect the sacred parent-teen relationship with “relationship insurance.” Learn how to communicate without escalating and how to support emotionally without performing as their designated sport coach.

As well as understanding that a neutral, outside voice is the smartest move you can make for your teen’s development—and your connection.

The Timestamps

00:00 The Challenge of Coaching Your Own Kids

02:23 Understanding Parental Bias in Youth Sports

05:10 The Impact of Emotional Proximity

07:56 The Role of Outside Voices in Mindset Coaching

10:45 Navigating Status Panic and Expectations

13:09 Building Relationship Insurance with Teens

Takeaways

-Parents often struggle with neutrality when coaching their own children.

-Confirmation bias can cloud parents' judgment regarding their child's performance.

-Rescuing behavior can undermine a teen's ability to handle challenges independently.

-Neutrality is essential for effective mindset coaching.

-Outside voices can provide valuable support and perspective for teens.

-Parents should focus on emotional support rather than performance pressure.

-The relationship between parents and teens is sacred and irreplaceable.

-Bringing in outside voices helps maintain a safe and supportive environment for teens.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

Playing time is a pressure cooker because it pokes at every parent trigger: fairness, status, control, fear, and helplessness. And if we’re honest, it can feel personal—even when it isn’t. In today's conversation, we deliver a fantastic "reframe" to help you model a healthy response to non-preferred outcomes so your teen learns the real life skill: dealing with disappointment without losing identity, effort, or connection. You’ll learn how to spot your “yeah, buts,” reset your expectations, and have the kind of calm, clear conversation that builds trust—especially when your teen is already on edge.

Let's gooooooooooooo Most Valuable Parents!!

The Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Playing Time and Parental Pride

03:23 Understanding Control and Helplessness in Sports

06:29 Expectations and Communication with Teens

08:43 Life Lessons from Sports and Non-Preferred Outcomes

11:42 The Duct Tape Analogy: Managing Emotions

14:40 The 24-Hour Rule: Emotional Recovery

16:18 Reframing the Parent-Teen Dynamic

Takeaways

-Playing time can induce trauma for both parents and teens.

-Understanding what is within our control is crucial in handling "playing time."

-Parents should model healthy emotional responses to outcomes.

-The 24-hour rule helps in managing emotional reactions.

-Identifying 'yeah, buts' can clarify our emotional responses.

-Being an anchor for our teens is more important than rescuing them.

-Life skills are learned in sports by responding well to non-preferred outcomes.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve