Episode Details
Back to EpisodesThe Hidden Stress of Being a Hockey Parent
Description
💠Feeling the weight of being a hockey parent? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and honest episode, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli open up about the mental and emotional load that comes with youth hockey — the long weekends, the money, the pressure, and the expectations we quietly carry.
🔥 In this conversation:
- Why so many parents tie their own worth to their kids’ performance đź§
- The guilt, stress, and second-guessing that come after every game
- How money, time, and competition fuel anxiety for hockey families
- Why behavior—not outcomes—should be your real “win” metric
- What emotional resilience really looks like at home and at the rink
- Why “family first” isn’t just a saying — it’s a sanity saver ❤️
✨ Key moments include:
- Christie’s powerful reminder that “youth hockey is the good old days.”
- Lee’s story of skipping practice to prioritize family — and why it mattered more.
- Mike’s candid reflections on managing expectations as both coach and parent.
At the end of the day, this episode is a deep breath for every parent who’s ever thought, “Am I doing enough?” Spoiler: You are.
đź“– Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Mental Load of Being a Hockey Parent: Managing Pressure, Guilt & Joy
🎧 Listen, laugh, and remember — you’re not crazy, the hockey world is.
#OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyParenting #YouthHockey #SportsParenting #MentalHealthInSports #ParentPerspective #ChristieCascianoBurns #LeeElias #MikeBonelli #HockeyLife #FamilyFirst #YouthSportsBalance
Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. Special Offseason pricing: $299 for the year—less than a dollar a day, and up to four profiles. Use code OKPH to save an extra $25 off your purchase - http://nhl.sensearena.com/OKPH
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!
Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!
Follow Us On Social Media: