--- title: "The Post-Game Pit Stop: Navigating the Car Ride Home" description: What if the ride home became a safe space for connection and support? Get easy conversation starters and practical ideas to help parents talk about periods, performance, and well-being. image: https://www.coachingher.com/hubfs/parents_guide_may2026-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.coachingher.com/the-coaching-her-journal/post-game-pit-stop#main-content) [![Copy of coachingher_logo_rgb](https://www.coachingher.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20coachingher_logo_rgb.png?width=2830&height=929&name=Copy%20of%20coachingher_logo_rgb.png "Copy of coachingher_logo_rgb")](https://coachingher.com) - About - [About Coaching HER](https://www.coachingher.com/about-coaching-her) - [Collaborators](https://www.coachingher.com/collaborators) - [Tucker Center](https://www.coachingher.com/tucker-center) - Engage - [Learning & Community](https://www.coachingher.com/learning-and-community) - [Organizational Champions](https://www.coachingher.com/champions) - [Educational Champions](https://www.coachingher.com/educational-champions-start) - [Types of Champions](https://www.coachingher.com/champion-types) - [Consulting & Advisory](https://www.coachingher.com/consulting) - [Invest in HER](https://www.coachingher.com/invest-in-her) - Resources - [Explore FREE Courses](https://www.coachingher.com/courses) - [Articles, Guides, and News](https://www.coachingher.com/the-coaching-her-journal) - [FAQ](https://www.coachingher.com/faq) - [Publications](https://www.coachingher.com/scholarlypublications) - [Videos](https://www.coachingher.com/the-coaching-her-journal/videos) - [Newsletter Archive](https://www.coachingher.com/newsletter) - [Contact Us](https://www.coachingher.com/contact-us) - [![Start Your FREE Course Today](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/46527152/interactive-340950391497.png)](https://cta-na2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIKbybnh6qQucl2SR%2F17FMqTgui%2BYPw3kEof%2BQB3RzRoUtlnOoJdZxJAHiluhscTYoYT5rgpwJtFsPkdEFD93adHUme3KZQD3sg3raqJjHzuYSHHlft8gkq1EE23j%2B8dttJKCawFVpyv5DRyqDfxhSbeiX5KmhgFZgBh9iPUoVx3L299ynWFwzJUdJwAc%2ByfSWDi0idLQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=340950391497&portalId=46527152) ☰ # The Post-Game Pit Stop: Navigating the Car Ride Home [By The Coaching HER® Team](https://www.coachingher.com/the-coaching-her-journal/author/by-the-coaching-her-team) April 2026 ![The Post-Game Pit Stop: Navigating the Car Ride Home](https://www.coachingher.com/hs-fs/hubfs/parents_guide_may2026-1.png?width=1200&height=675&name=parents_guide_may2026-1.png) 86.7% of girls agree or strongly agree that their menstrual cycle impacts their training and performance in sport. (Gooorevich & Zipp, 2024) The research is clear: girls want and need to talk about their periods and the impact they have on their sport. While these conversations can feel awkward or even taboo at first, creating an open, judgment-free space helps your athlete feel supported and understood. These conversations can give her the confidence to share how she’s feeling, recognize when her cycle may be impacting her energy or performance, and know that it’s okay to speak up about what she needs. By checking in regularly, you’re not only helping her navigate challenges, you're also empowering her to advocate for herself with coaches and teammates, and reinforcing that her well-being matters just as much as her performance. Open discussion and support can help your girl stay in the game! Hey Dads! Times are (finally) changing! We want you involved in the conversations too.  Not feeling quite ready? Check out this great resource - [#Pads4Dads: “A Dad’s Guide to Periods”](https://www.heygirls.co.uk/campaign/pads4dads/) - to learn more.  ## CAR RIDE HOME CONVERSATIONS Did you know the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) trained to their menstrual cycles? Working to understand their menstrual cycle, they won the 2019 FIFA World Cup! What do you think about trying to track your cycle this month and see how it is impacting your training and performance? Have an extra water bottle or nutritious protein-filled snack waiting for your athlete after the game.  This is a great intro to teach her about the benefits of nutrition and hydration to support her throughout her cycle. Try these silly lead in questions to do a period check in with your teen: - Anything your body’s needing right now—food, rest, quiet, chocolate… all valid answers. - On a scale from ‘energizer bunny’ to ‘why do cramps exist,’ where are you at today? - If your “Aunt Flow” could talk, what would she be saying right now? ## QUICK TIP Create a period travel kit together with your athlete. Possible items to include: a variety of sizes of pads and tampons, pain relief, disposable bag, underwear, a heating pad, and a humorous or reassuring note. Check out the team bag menstrual health checklist. ## **BONUS Materials:** [Period Kit Checklist](https://www.coachingher.com/hubfs/Coach%20Period%20Action%20Checklist.pdf)   [Leaders Action Checklist](https://www.coachingher.com/hubfs/Leader%20Period%20Action%20Checklist.png) ### References Goorevich, A., & Zipp, S. (2024). “They seem to only know about bleeding and cramps”: Menstruation, gendered experiences, and coach–athlete relationships. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 32, S1–S10. - ![Building Confidence at Home and on the Field: A Parent’s Guide](https://www.coachingher.com/hs-fs/hubfs/parents_guide_feb2026-1.png?width=1200&height=628&name=parents_guide_feb2026-1.png) - ![From Sidelines to Lifelines — How Parents Keep Girls in Sport for Life](https://www.coachingher.com/hs-fs/hubfs/parents_guide_sep2025.png?width=1200&height=628&name=parents_guide_sep2025.png) [For Parents](https://www.coachingher.com/the-coaching-her-journal/tag/for-parents) ![MH_course_badge](https://www.coachingher.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MH_course_badge.png?width=70&height=70&name=MH_course_badge.png) ### Menstrual Health Understand the menstrual cycle, challenge common taboos, and create period-friendly sport environments that help girls feel informed, comfortable, confident, and supported in participating. [Learn More](https://learn.coachingher.com/page/9121/menstrual-health) More ways to get involved ### Subscribe to The Coaching HER® Newsletter Sign-up to receive The Coaching HER® Playbook, featuring the latest resources, research, tools, and news delivered directly to your inbox. Email Address     ### Wear Your Support Show your commitment to creating better sport experiences for girls. The Coaching HER® collection includes apparel and merchandise that help coaches, leaders, and advocates share the message that every girl deserves to feel supported, valued, and included in sport. [Explore the Coaching HER® Store](https://www.mnalumnimarket.com/collections/coaching-her-collection) ### Invest in HER Support Coaching HER® to help keep girls in sport. Make a gift today and be part of the movement. 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