Athletics and dealing with competitive parents

[Itshammertimeagain]

I'm not sure if there are any track and field/athletics parents here, but if so, how do you and your child, deal with other parents at competitions etc? DD (U15s) is a novice at a niche event, and her confidence can plummet at the slightest fail, comment, posturing from others. More often than not she doesnt have a coach with her at competitions so there's no one to immediately draw her focus back onto her technique and she withdraws inside herself. To clarify its not at the level where officials would take action, but it still erodes her confidence.

I've found lots of resources for dealing with the technical side of the event, and battles with her own head, but are there any resources you know of for dealing with others around her? Thank you 🙂

My dd does athletics but I’ve never had any negativity or comments from parents. I’ve always found it to be a positive and supportive experience at events. She does track though as her main event. I can imagine it could be a bit more intense for pole vault etc.

Are there other athletes from her club at the competitions? My dd goes around with other girls her age, not all necessarily from her club as they meet the same people over and over again. They sometimes watch each other.

Thank you. She does field events so, although there are other girls around, she is a bit more remote and isolated in where she is. I guess she's just been a bit unlucky in who she's had contact with.