Building Confidence – How My Son Fell Back in Love with Football By Sarah, Football Mum

If you’d told me six months ago that my son, Jack, would be happily sprinting onto the pitch every Saturday morning, I’d have probably laughed—and then cried. Football has always been Jack’s favorite thing, but for a while, it became something he dreaded. He loved kicking a ball around at home, but when it came to matches, he just didn’t feel ready. “What if I mess up, Mum? What if I let the team down?” Those words broke my heart.

I wanted to help him, but it’s tricky as a parent, isn’t it? You don’t want to push too hard, but you also don’t want to see them give up on something they love. That’s when I came across My Season Journal. I’d been looking for something—anything—that might help Jack build confidence, and the idea of a fun, interactive football journal felt perfect.

The first thing Jack noticed about the journal was how cool it looked. He loved that it wasn’t just a boring workbook. It had this amazing design, with inspirational quotes and sections where he could track his achievements. The XP tracker was a game-changer—it made his progress feel like a proper adventure. Every little milestone felt like something to celebrate.

But what really made the difference was the section where Jack could reflect on his matches. At first, he’d be hesitant. “I don’t want to write about the game, Mum. I didn’t play well.” But I’d sit with him, and we’d go through it together. We’d celebrate the little wins—like the one time he passed the ball perfectly to his teammate—or talk about how he could handle tricky moments.

Over the weeks, something shifted. Jack stopped worrying about being perfect and started focusing on improving bit by bit. He began setting little goals for himself. “This week, I’m going to stay calm if I miss a shot.” And when he achieved those goals? The smile on his face was priceless.

Now, Jack’s confidence has completely transformed. He’s eager to play, and he doesn’t see mistakes as disasters anymore—they’re just part of the game. Watching him thrive on the pitch and truly enjoy football again has been the best gift I could ask for as a mum.

If your child is struggling like Jack was, I can’t recommend My Season Journal enough. It’s not just a journal—it’s like having a secret little coach in your corner, cheering them on every step of the way.