“My mother was the greatest mother in the world. She thought I was the greatest thing on two feet. I’d come home with a little composition I had written at school and she’d look at it and say, ‘It’s wonderful! You’re another Shakespeare! I always assumed that I could do anything. It really is amazing how much that has to do with your attitude.”

For more thoughts on parenting through the athletic process, read:

• A Parents’ Guide to Talent Development
• Developing your Son or Daughter into an Athletic Superstar
• Developing your Son or Daughter into an Athletic Superstar, Part II