Irish dancing (ID) is a costly and time-consuming activity, particularly at the elite level. For dancers to be able to participate and perform, they are heavily dependent upon the guidance and encouragement of their parents. However, being the parent of a young dancer is likely to be associated with a range of challenges, not least knowing how best to support their child. The aim of this chapter is to provide some insights into the role of parents in helping to optimize young dancers' wellness and performance, as well as understanding the experiences of parents themselves. Within ID, limited attention has been afforded to understanding parental influence and involvement in helping children to develop and progress. Drawing on experiential knowledge from ID, as well as literature from parenting and youth sport, this chapter begins by overviewing parenting styles and practices, before focusing specifically upon the role of parents within performance settings. Gender specific parenting practices, with particular emphasis on male dancers, are explored. The chapter concludes by examining strategies to enhance positive parentteacher interactions and optimize parental involvement in ID.