One of the greatest – and most difficult – gifts a parent can give a child will be independence. Woven within that gift will be the element of trust: Trust that lessons you have taught will be remembered, trust that the life you have led and the example you have set has been noticed. In the end, if the relationship with your child has that as its foundation, the transition towards independence will be seamless.

Whether you have coached your child from third grade through eighth grade or have simply been a supportive parent through that process, the high school transition can be as difficult or easy as you want it to be.

In the athletic world, it’s called releasing your child to the coach. Whether you have coached your child from third grade through eighth grade or have simply been a supportive parent through that process, the high school transition can be as difficult or easy as you want it to be. Here is where that gift of independence and a relationship built on trust steps to the forefront.

Are you prepared for your athlete to enter an arena filled with both success and failure?

Are you willing to accept the assessment and positioning with the program by an adult other than yourself?

Have you given your athlete the tools to converse with a coach about an issue they may have?

Does your athlete possess the abilities to cope with disappointment or even failure?

Does your athlete understand the concepts of commitment, sacrifice and hard work?

Do you understand that some of the greatest lessons, relationships, and stories will be played out, written, and forged within these next four brief years?

Your administrators wants you to enjoy this journey. Your coaching staff wants you to enjoy this journey. And at the end of the day, your child wants you to enjoy the entirely of it all.

Scott Berseth has had many experiences as a player, parent, and coach in the Chippewa Valley.