Dr. Jennifer Harris: “SUPER-P” - The Science-backed Solution for Sport Parents

Let's be honest—being a sport parent is hard. Really hard. You want to support your athlete, but half the time you're wondering if you're doing it right, saying the right things, or somehow accidentally making things worse.

If that sounds familiar, you're going to want to hear this conversation.

In Episode 12 of the Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha sits down with Dr. Jennifer Harris, founder of Raising Happy Champs, for a refreshingly honest chat about what it really means to support your young athlete—and how to do it without driving them (or yourself) crazy.

From Gymnastics Mom to Sport Psychology Expert

Dr. Harris gets it because she's been there. She started out as a gymnastics mom, watching her kid train and compete, and realized something pretty frustrating: there was tons of support for coaches and athletes, but parents? We're kind of left to figure it out on our own.

So she did what any slightly obsessive parent would do—she went back to school. First a Master's degree, then a PhD in Sport Psychology. All of this led her to create the "SUPER-P Approach," which is basically a roadmap for sport parents that's actually backed by research (not just someone's opinion on a parenting forum).

Why Don't Parents Get More Help?

Here's the thing that Dr. Harris really drives home: in the Coach-Athlete-Parent Triangle, two out of three people usually know what they're supposed to be doing. Coaches get training. Athletes get coaching. But parents? We're supposed to just... figure it out.

And that's a problem, because we're a huge part of the equation. When parents don't know their "lane," things can get messy fast.

What Actually Is the "SUPER-P Approach"?

Think of it as a user manual for sport parenting that you should have gotten when your kid first picked up a bow (or any other piece of sports equipment). Dr. Harris created this program to give parents actual, concrete guidance—and it works.

Parents who've gone through the program report that their athletes have less anxiety and better competition results. And here's the kicker: a lot of it comes down to changing our own behaviour, not our kid's. It's about taking the pressure off and creating a space where our kids can actually enjoy their sport.

Are You Being Supportive... or Suffocating?

Manisha and Dr. Harris tackle one of those uncomfortable truths that every sport parent needs to hear: more involvement doesn't always equal better support.

Sometimes what feels like "being there for them" actually crosses the line into being overbearing. Our kids need space to develop independence, to make their own mistakes, and to figure things out without us hovering. The hard part? Knowing where that line is.

The Anxiety Connection

One of the most eye-opening parts of the conversation is about how our expectations—even the ones we think we're hiding—directly affect our athlete's anxiety levels.

Dr. Harris talks about simple shifts that can make a massive difference. Instead of immediately pointing out what went wrong after a competition, try leading with what made you proud. Instead of jumping in with fixes, let them process first. These small changes in how we show up can genuinely transform how our kids experience their sport.

The Car Ride Home (We Need to Talk About This)

You know that car ride home from practice or a competition? Dr. Harris has thoughts on that too. Spoiler alert: it shouldn't turn into an impromptu coaching session.

She gives practical advice on how to communicate support and pride without stepping into the coach's territory. Because here's the thing—your kid already has a coach. What they need from you is something different.

Imagine If Every Club Did This

Dr. Harris has a vision, and honestly, it's a good one: what if every sports club introduced their parents to the SUPER-P Approach right from the start?

When whole clubs get on board, it creates this cohesive, positive environment where everyone's on the same page. Less drama, less toxic behaviour, more kids who actually love their sport. Sounds pretty good, right?

The Bottom Line

This episode really hammers home something important: being a great sport parent isn't just about showing up and cheering (though that helps). It's about understanding your role, communicating effectively, and creating an environment where your athlete can thrive.

The SUPER-P Approach gives parents the tools to do exactly that—to support our kids' love of their sport while keeping our sanity intact.

Want to Learn More?

Head over to RaisingHappyChamps.com to check out the resources available. Whether you're a parent looking to level up your support game or a coach who wants to help the parents at your club, there's something there for you.

Special Offers:

• Use promo code "archery20" for 20% off a SUPER-P workshop
• If you refer your club and they book the SUPER-P Club workshop, Raising Happy Champs will send you a £50 Amazon gift card.

Remember: great sport parenting starts with understanding your role and being willing to learn and grow alongside your athlete. All those challenges and triumphs? They're part of the journey. One arrow at a time.