Sidelines and Sickness: Navigating Youth Sports During Illness

Shoot us a text, just like your kid shoots for the goal!" ⚽🏆

Every sports parent has faced that moment of dread—your child wakes up sick on game day or during a tournament. The internal debate begins: Are they too sick to play? Will they get others sick? Will their performance suffer? And the bigger question—what's the right decision as a parent?

Katie and Cari dive into this universal parenting challenge, sharing their recent experiences with illness sweeping through their families. Cari reveals the heartbreaking dilemma she faced when her son—after ten grueling months of injury recovery—woke up sick on the very day he was finally cleared to play again. The mixture of excitement, anticipation, and then the crushing possibility of delaying his return created a parental decision point many can relate to.

The hosts explore how different sports create unique challenges during illness. Team sports might have substitutes available, but what about the goalkeeper with no backup? Individual sports like tennis or track offer no alternatives—the athlete competes or withdraws entirely. These situations force complicated decisions, especially when families have invested in tournament fees, travel arrangements, and hotel bookings.

Katie and Cari balance the conversation between competitive realities and responsible parenting. They acknowledge the importance of keeping contagious children away from teammates while also recognizing the mental and emotional impact of missing important competitions. The discussion touches on knowing your child well enough to distinguish between legitimate illness and potential avoidance behaviors, plus strategies for communicating with coaches about a player's condition.

Whether you've cleaned vomit from car upholstery after a tournament, administered family remedies before competitions, or made those tough calls about participation, this episode validates your experience while offering practical perspectives. Share your own stories and home remedies at [e-mail]—we're building this community together!