Meagan Frank: Job As Hockey Mom To Provide Unconditional Support

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 15:16. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

Today we hear from Meagan Frank, a hockey mom of three, soccer coach, and writer.

momsTEAM: Were you an athlete and what sports did you play as a youth (under 19)?

A hockey mom, soccer coach, and writer says that if she could flip a switch about anything having to do with youth sports, she would make it accessible to any child who wanted to play, and would find a way to make every decision be about providing a positive sports experience for all kids.

Emily Cohen

Who's Really Responsible for the Obesity Epidemic?

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 04:44. | comments

I'm tired of people blaming schools, sports leagues, and any variety of other organizations and factors for the fact that their children are overweight - obese, even - couch potatoes who play video games and eat junk food. Stop blaming and start looking at yourselves, parents!

Last week, the Dallas Morning News published an article by columnist Nancy Churnin blaming high school sports and the increasingly competitive and elite sports at earlier ages for the obesity epidemic. Anyone who has read my blogs knows that I question the value of elite sports at the younger levels and have not 100% bought into the current status quo of high school sports, but pinning the obesity epidemic on schools and travel teams? Laughable.

I'm tired of people blaming schools, sports leagues, and any variety of other organizations and factors for the fact that their children are overweight - obese, even - couch potatoes who play video games and eat junk food. Stop blaming and start looking at yourselves, parents!

May Is Sports Moms Month

Pam Carey (Minor League Mom): Youth Athletes Shouldn't Be Treated As Pros

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Sun, 05/06/2012 - 13:10. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

Today we hear from Pam Carey, mom of two former minor league baseball players and author of Minor League Mom:

momsTEAM: Were you an athlete and what sports did you play as a youth (under 19)?

The mother of two former minor league baseball players says one of the biggest things she would like to see changed in youth sports is coaches treating middle school and high school athletes as if they were professionals.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Gretchen Rose: Seeing Children Achieve Sports Goals Is Priceless

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Sat, 05/05/2012 - 20:52. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

A sports mom and business owner from Dallas says that, although the days may be long, the reward from seeing the look of true accomplishment and joy on a child's face when they achieve their goals in sports is priceless.

Barbara Bleiweis

MomsTeam and Fighting the Good Fight - Pro Humanitate

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 22:55. | comments

I recently attended campus day - my first "parent meet faculty" event at the university my daughter has chosen to spend the next four years of her life. As an mom and experienced sport parent, I approached the event with my usual silent support, and measured, but contained enthusiasm ( I am very proud of her!). Since she has already accepted the offer of admission, the check has been deposited, the dye cast, my attendance goal was to listen, absorb, people watch, and purchase university spirit wear. I accomplished all this -- but walked away from the event with so much more. In short, I was BLOWN AWAY.

Recent visits to the campus of the university her daughter will be attending in the fall, a school whose motto is Pro Humanitate (for humanity), reminds a sports mom and blogger that everyone involved in momsTEAM, whether as a contributor, parent or coach, is serving humanity as well in fighting for a safe, fun, and competitive youth sports experience for all of our kids.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Journalist Julie Deardorff: Modeling Healthy Lifestyle For Kids Is Key

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 18:56. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

Today we hear from one of momsTEAM's favorite journalists, Julie Deardorff, a health reporter and consumer watchdog for the Chicago Tribune, avid cyclist, and sports mom:

An award-winning health journalist and sports mom says the biggest lesson she has learned from her five-year-old son is not to push him to sports: if he wants to dig holes or play with trucks instead of kicking a soccer ball, she's okay with that.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Olympic Cyclist Erin Mirabella: Sports Provide Building Blocks For Future Success

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 20:32. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

Today we hear from Erin Mirabella, a two-time Olympic track cyclist, stay-at-home mom of three, children's book author and momsTEAM blogger and writer.

A two-time Olympic track cyclist and mother of three pre-schoolers talks about how sports is providing them the building blocks for future success, helping them learn to gracefully handle winning and losing, competition, and develop self-confidence, social skills, and appreciate the value of hard work.

Tieast Leverett

To Get Along with Your Ex On Sports Sideline Apply Lessons You Give Your Child

Submitted by Tieast Leverett on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 17:57. | comments

Michigan versus The Ohio State University, Chicago Bears versus Green Bay Packers, Liverpool versus Manchester United, New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox, Harvard versus Yale. What do these match-ups have in common? They are some of the most storied sports rivalries; some going back a hundred years, and will likely continue to be contested for generations to come.

Yet they may pale in comparison to a match-up which plays out daily on the fields, pitches, courts and gyms of youth sports: the rivalry between separated or divorced sports parents.

Co-parenting with your "adversary" is challenging enough, but adding a full sports schedule to the mix makes things even more stressful. The best strategy for single parents in dealing with your ex may be to follow the advice you give your own child.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Olympic Gold Medalist Barbara Ann Cochran: Love of Sport, Self-Belief, and Hard Work Can Help Make Dreams Come True

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 13:50. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends.

An Olympic skiing gold medalist talks about learning from her daughter that dreams can be achieved if you love what you're doing, believe in yourself, and work hard to improve.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Wella Peirsol Hartig: Mom of 2 Olympic-Level Athletes Advises Parents Not to Pressure Kids To Succeed in Sports

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 15:18. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At momsTEAM we think sports moms deserve to be honored, not just on the second Sunday in May, but for an entire month. So we have designated May as National Sports Moms Month and invited some veteran sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions. We will post a new blog for every day of May, which we hope you will find interesting, empowering, and informative, and that you will share them with your family and friends. Aaron Piersol

The mother of two Olympic-level athletes says that while parents need to watch over their kids to protect them, the biggest mistakes they can make are living vicariously through and put pressure on their children to succeed in sports.