Just like a great coach studies their team, we can parent wisely by doing the same. We’re constantly observing our kids, assessing their unique strengths and needs. Are they a high-energy point guard needing space to run or a thoughtful center requiring quiet reflection? 

This coaching style works like a scouting report, helping guide our parenting game plan. What motivates them? What frustrates them? What makes them better? But unlike a basketball game, our goal isn’t just victory; it’s raising children who know and love God. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” 

This verse isn’t a guarantee, but it highlights our responsibility to guide our children according to God’s wisdom. Just like a coach develops a player’s skills with discipline and encouragement, we are called to shape our children’s hearts by consistently pointing them toward Christ.  

Here are a few practical ways to “coach” your kids and apply that knowledge and Biblical wisdom to your parenting:

🏀 Observe: Watch your child in different situations, noting patterns and triggers.
🏀 Communicate: Talk regularly, listen more than you speak, and create a safe space for sharing.
🏀 Seek: Pray for wisdom, consult trusted sources, and use Christian parenting resources.
🏀 Adapt: Be flexible, embrace imperfection, and celebrate your child’s unique gifts.