The topic this week may divide opinion, but it is a topic which has raised lots of discussion in the past. Does being a mother change you as a coach and do mothers make the best coaches?
Many of the female coaches we have interviewed who are mothers, have all said that becoming a mother has made them a better coach. Whilst being a mother and a coach is always incredibly difficult to balance, do the attributes needed as a mother add to your attributes and skills as a coach – making you a a better coach?
Here is what we want to know:
- Has anyone experienced becoming a mother and felt they improved as a coach? Why?
- Are mothers more understanding towards their athletes?
- Does being a mother actually change the way you coach?
- Are those coaches without children actually at an advantage – and are they the best coaches?
Answers from twitter & FCN forum
Joey Peters – You bet! There’s no better education as a person than being a mother – makes you better at everything especially coaching. The difference since mothering has been so grounding, rewarding as well as educating. There IS more to life than football!
Carmen P – sometimes no! 🙂 At least on my front, it’s getting better!
Hydra Electric – Oooo errrr. I find this a bit controversial. And a massive over-generalisation.
Melissa Hyndman – Simple answer ‘No’ it doesn’t however I think it gives me a slight edge, especially having 4 daughters of my own!
Liz mccolgan-nuttall – no just because your a mother does not give you better understanding of coaching. Coaching isn’t a sexist profession its down to knowledge deliverance and understanding of an individual to coach well.
Anna Kessel – maybe the question shd be rephrased…what skill set can mothers bring to coaching? Or is it irrelevant?
Lo Locust – …great topic…I think we [mothers] are harder on them [athletes] lol…Don’t think that’s the case [being a better coach] across the board, it may help but def NOT an automatic
Jools Murray – I personally don’t agree. I think the “Best” coaches come from a range of backgrounds, ethnicity, & ages!
Debbie Ferguson – McKenzie – No offense but I disagree. There r some mothers who are not fit mothers.Let’s stop stereotyping. A coach has special qualities whether u r a mother or not. A coach is a mentor/teacher/parent and that role never cease.its a life time job and its unbiased to kids who r “lost” or unruly.
Priya Samuel – I agree totally with Debbie, why segregate those women who have not given birth? Good coaches share the same traits #honesty #sharing #skill #trust #knowledge #perspectives
Amy Hollingsworth – Disagreeing on this one
Bianca Thomas – I’m not a mother and I don’t feel this limits my ability to coach, care, guide, mentor in any way!
Sarah Dwyer – Shick – It is caring about and working to develop the player that matters. Not whether you are a parent
Shelli Sayers – Many influences that make you a better coach, not just motherhood. Personally motherhood has made me a better coach.
Zz Gore – a statement would never be made about male coaches needing to be fathers to be better at their job. Its very sexist and incorrect
