The Sports Mom: Riding the Emotional Rollercoaster

This week, I’m feeling all the emotions when it comes to my 16-year-old son. He’s a track runner, and not just any runner—he works relentlessly, both on the track and in the classroom, sitting in the top 4% of a very competitive high school class. He’s putting in the time, the effort, and the sacrifices, all for one goal: qualifying for states in the 4x800.

And yet, they keep falling short.

As a mom, I find myself on this emotional rollercoaster; nervous before the race, on edge during, and then so disappointed when they don’t hit the time they need. It’s hard to watch someone you love work this hard and not see the result they’re chasing. It’s even harder to keep those feelings to myself.

Because here’s the truth: This is his journey, not mine. My role isn’t to add more weight to what he’s already carrying; it’s to support him, no matter what. He doesn’t need my stress, my disappointment, or my expectations; he needs to know that I believe in him, whether he qualifies for states or not.

I know many of you have been here too. Watching your child put in the work, make the sacrifices, and still come up short. It stings. But at the end of the day, their sport isn’t just about the outcome. It’s about resilience, commitment, and growth. And honestly? That’s what I have to remind myself of, too.

So this week, I’m working on it. Holding my emotions in check. Cheering him on, win or lose. Trusting that all this hard work will pay off—maybe not in the way we expect, but in the way it’s meant to.