Oh, moms and dads, you already know how difficult your job is as a parent. We like to say here on The Stop Parenting & Start Coaching Podcast that "it is the hardest job and there's not a close second." Yep, it's tough.

So...do we actually make it EVEN harder (why would we ever do that?!!!!!) by using ________? Fill in the blank with the nasty word we wrestled with in Episode 70. Yep, the "S" word. No, not that "S" word but this "S word": sarcasm. Hello, darkness my old friend! If you just discovered us and haven't listened to Episode 70, now would be a good time to do that!

Speed us up to 1.5 or 1.75 and get your fill of The Ten Reasons Why You Should Never Use Sarcasm. We've made this horrific mistake as coaches and parents and we want to to treasure your connections and communication with your teen athlete or performer.

Some gems from EP 71 to consider:

--Sarcasm is a very risky form of communication

--The more important the person, the connection, and the situation, the more it is critical that you do NOT use sarcasm.

--Parents often make their jobs harder through ineffective communication.

--Sarcasm can undermine trust and create confusion in relationships.

--Using sarcasm can damage a your teen's self-esteem.

--Sarcasm can lead to increased stress and anxiety for both parents and children.

--A "negativity culture" can develop from habitual sarcasm.

--Motivation in teens can decrease due to sarcastic remarks.

--Sarcasm can stifle creativity and risk-taking in children.

--Power imbalances in relationships can be reinforced by sarcasm.

--Increasing awareness of sarcasm's impact is crucial for improvement.

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Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are upping our game in 2024 as we strive to create a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers! Please hit the follow button where ever you find us (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or elsewhere). And, you can now watch the show on YouTube).

New episodes drop every Monday.

We would love it and be so grateful if you posted a glowing 5 star review along with a helpful comment for other listeners on what you are learning (and hopefully incorporating) from the show. After all, we created it just for you and as always, moms and dads, we're cheering you on as you Stop Parenting & Start Coaching! -Nate & Steve