Should Parents Be Afraid to Speak Out When Kids’ Health Is at Risk?

By Jeff Martin

Every summer we see headlines about high school athletes collapsing from heat illness. Recently in Arizona, parents quietly worried about triple-digit practices but admitted they were afraid to speak up. Their fear? That their child would lose playing time, be benched, or be labeled as “soft. (ABC News Parents Fear Speaking Out)

That fear is real, and it’s not just about heat. It shows up in weight rooms where safety protocols are ignored, on fields where kids are pushed to play through pain, and in traditions like extreme weight-cutting in wrestling. Too often, parents feel silenced, caught between wanting to protect their child and not wanting to be “that parent.”

But here’s the truth: staying silent can put kids at risk.

A Personal Story

When our son wrestled in high school, every year the coach pushed him to cut weight. His senior year, he started the season at just 3% body fat. The coach wanted him to drop two weight classes. To make that cut, he would have had to lose muscle and sacrifice his health.

We had a choice, stay quiet or speak up. It wasn’t easy. Our son desperately wanted to wrestle. His coach had made it clear he didn’t value parent input. But we drew the line: if cutting weight was the requirement, he wouldn’t wrestle that year.

It was a hard stand to take. But here’s what happened: freed from the unhealthy demand to drop weight, our son had his most successful season.

That experience cemented something for me: parents are their child’s first line of defense.

Why Speaking Out Matters

• Many Coaches focus primarily on winning. Parents must focus on their child’s long-term health.

• Athletic directors must juggle logistics. Parents must ensure safety isn’t sacrificed for convenience.

• Teens will rarely say no. They want to please their coach and stay on the team. Parents must step in where kids can’t.

When parents stay silent, dangerous traditions and risky practices can go on unchecked. \

When parents speak up, even at the risk of playing time, things change.

A Call to Parent

If you see:

• Practices scheduled in unsafe heat

• Unsafe conditions in the weight room

• Unhealthy weight-cutting demands

• Lack of concussion safety adherance protocols

…then speak up. Respectfully. Firmly. Consistently.

How to Speak Up Without Burning Bridges

Advocating for your child doesn’t have to mean conflict. You can be clear and firm while keeping the conversation collaborative. Here’s an example:

“Coach, I really value the time and energy you give these athletes. My main priority is keeping my child healthy while they compete. I’m a little concerned about [the heat schedule/weight cut/safety issue]. Can we look at options together that will keep the kids safe and still allow them to give their best on the team?”

This approach communicates respect, invites problem-solving, and makes it clear you’re on the same team, supporting both your child and the program.

Final Thoughts

Your child may compete for four years, but they will live in their body for a lifetime. Protecting that is worth being “that parent.”

But you shouldn’t have to stand alone. Together, we can build a community where kids’ health always comes first. If you’d like to connect, we’d love to hear from you.

📧 JeffandMikki@thebrandxmethod.com