Parenting Shrink Wrapped
Parenting Shrink Wrapped is your all-access pass to the wild and wonderful journey of raising kids! Hosted by Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed therapist, educator, and parenting coach, this dynamic duo brings a perfect mix of professional expertise and mom humor. With five kids between them—and thousands more they’ve supported in their professional roles—they’re here to share practical strategies and real-life stories that will help you navigate everything from tantrums to teen drama. Whether you're handling sleepless nights or the chaos of carpool, you'll find relatable advice and a good laugh along the way. Strap in, because parenting is a ride, and we're here to make it a little smoother!
Parenting Shrink Wrapped
#23: More Than a Game: Building Life Skills Through Youth Sports with Courtney Parfitt
What if sports weren’t just about winning—but about raising resilient, self-aware, and confident kids? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam sit down with Courtney Parfitt, founder of Thrive Gym in Annapolis, to explore how youth sports can become powerful spaces for growth, failure, leadership, and self-discovery.
Courtney shares how parents and coaches can support—not sabotage—the athlete experience, and why things like emotional regulation, goal alignment, and even silence from the sidelines matter more than medals. Whether your child is a toddler in tumbling or a teen in competitive athletics, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the delicate balance between support and pressure in sports parenting.
About Courtney
Courtney Parfitt is the owner of Thrive Gym, a company that operates children's activity centers offering gymnastics, tumbling, ninja, team sports, and camps to families in the Greater Annapolis community. Courtney has grown her business with the mission of teaching 'Life Lessons Through Sport'. She strives to provide everyone who interacts with her business - customer, employee, and student alike - with a space where they can connect, belong and be inspired. Courtney lives in Arnold, MD and has two children. In her spare time you can find her running, reading and hanging out with friends.
Connect with Courtney
Website: www.thrivegym.org
Instagram: @thrivegymmd
Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?
Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.
Contact us: parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com
Follow us:
Work with Us:
Sam: Teen Savvy Coaching
- Join The Teen Savvy Parent Hub
- Sam's free video guide: How to Have a "You Screwed Up" Conversation with your Child or Teen
- Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches
Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry
Follow & Review the Pod: Click to follow on Apple Podcasts or to follow on Spotify.
You can use those same links to leave us a review! So easy and so appreciated!