PARENT
LIKE A COACH
About the Book
This book isn’t just about sports — it’s about connection, belief, and presence.
In Parent Like a Coach, Mike McCuen shares timeless lessons learned from decades of coaching tennis and mentoring young athletes. The pages are filled with relatable stories and actionable insights that help parents shift from pressure to presence, from criticism to encouragement, and from control to curiosity.
It’s a practical, heartfelt guide for parents, teachers, and mentors who want to inspire growth, confidence, and trust in the next generation.
About the Author
Mike grew up in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1970s—a time he often recalls as simpler, slower-paced, and filled with front-porch conversations and family dinners without the buzz of screens. With no cell phones or cable TV, connection looked different then. Kids made up games like “kick the can,” and spent hours outside —something his students later joked must have meant he couldn’t afford “real toys.” But to Mike, those days offered something invaluable: real connection.
Now, after over four decades of coaching, Mike has poured that same spirit of connection into his work with young people and their families. His experience as both a coach and a parent of four children—one of whom served in the military—deepened his understanding of how fleeting and precious time with our children can be. Those long-distance calls from his son during deployment were a reminder: each day with our kids is a gift not to be wasted.
Author’s Note
“The heart of coaching isn’t just about technique. It’s about connection, belief, and showing up for someone in a way that leaves a lasting mark.”
Over four decades, Mike has been shaped by coaches, teachers, and mentors who taught him that true leadership is relational, not mechanical.
Parent Like a Coach is dedicated to parents and mentors who want to make that kind of lasting impact — to guide with empathy, to lead with love, and to lift others through presence and encouragement.
The Inspiration Behind the Book
When Mike first picked up a tennis racket at 12, he couldn’t have imagined how the court would shape his life. Coaching became more than a profession — it became a window into human connection.
He noticed that while parents often focused on what children lacked, coaches focused on potential. That simple mindset shift — from “what’s missing” to “what’s possible” — became the heartbeat of this book.
Parent Like a Coach invites parents to approach every day with a coach’s perspective: attentive, encouraging, and rooted in belief that growth happens one intentional moment at a time.
Chapter Highlights
Chapter 1
Presence Over Perfection
Learn how to make every moment with your child count — by focusing on being present instead of perfect.
“You don’t need more time — you need more presence.”
Chapter 2
The Echo of Encouragement
Discover how small words of encouragement can echo for a lifetime and shape your child’s confidence.
“Encouragement is the seed from which confidence grows.”
Chapter 3
Building Bridges, Not Just Backhands
Explore how shared interests and intentional effort can create unbreakable connections.
“Connection isn’t built in big moments — it’s built in consistent ones.”
Chapter 4
The Parent’s Scorecard
Reframe your daily interactions and measure success through encouragement and awareness.
“Every day is a new match. Choose to serve with encouragement.”
Chapter 5
Celebrate the Tries
Find joy in effort, not perfection. Celebrate persistence as the foundation of resilience.
“Celebrate the effort, and the outcome will follow.”
Chapter 6
Confidence Is Contagious
Understand how your belief in your child becomes the foundation of their self-belief.
“Confidence isn’t taught. It’s transferred.”
Chapter 7
The Power of Listening
Learn how active, present listening deepens trust and strengthens the bond between you and your child.
“When we listen, we learn. When we’re present, we connect.”
