New income can create expectations within a family. Discuss support before requests become urgent, and center the athlete’s education, taxes, basic needs and long-term security.
Consider a written personal policy that defines what the athlete is willing to consider, who participates in decisions and which requests are off limits. A policy can reduce the emotional burden of deciding case by case.
The athlete should not be shamed for setting boundaries. Generosity works best when it is voluntary, sustainable and consistent with the athlete’s own goals.
