Basics

Youth Sports: Pluses and Minuses For Parents

It is common wisdom that both boys and girls benefit from playing organized sports in a variety of ways, including socially. But do parents also benefit from their involvement? Does the time and money parents spend going to their kids' practices and games benefit them socially? Do they feel it is worth all the effort? According to a study by researchers at Purdue University in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, the answer seems to be a qualified yes.

 

Are You a Parent or a Chauffeur?

Author of new children's book, Hey Dad, Let's Have A Catch!, advises parents to do more than just drive their kids to practices and games.

Unstructured Free Play Important for Kids

Too often these days, parents feel they have no choice but to pack their child's schedules with adult-supervised, adult-driven activities such as organized sports, even in the summer, when kids have the most free time.  But, as a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes clear, such activities should not come at the expense of free and unstructured play, which is critical to healthy child development.

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After A Loss: Advice for Parents

With the winter sports season in full swing, it is important for parents to remember that, no matter how talented your child may be, there are going to be days when she doesn't play her best or when, despite her best effort, her team loses. How you manage both the ups and the inevitable downs will play a large role in whether your child has a successful youth sports experience.

When Is Your Child Ready To Play Sports?

I am often asked by parents how to decide when a child is ready to play sports? What sports should she play? When is too early? When is too late? What should a parent's expectations be starting out? While there are no pat answers to these questions and no hard-and-fast rules, here is some general advice.

Buying Athletic Shoes and Socks For Children

A recent study found that a majority of kids wear shoes that are too small, which put them at risk for developing serious foot deformities, such as bunions.  Here are some tips on buying athletic shoes for your child that fit!

A Mom's Passion For Ultimate Frisbee: Just An Excuse To Spend More Time With Her Son?

The love of her 16-year-old son's for the sport of Ultimate Frisbee leads a mother to discover a passion for the sport but also to wonder whether she is just making excuses to spend more time with him.

5 Tips For Parenting A Scholar And An Athlete

A mother with a son who's an athlete and another who's a scholar shares five valuable parenting tips for celebrating their differences.

To Play Or Not To Play Youth Sports: That Is The Question

While every family’s situation is unique, a former professional football player believes in the Power of Sport to have long lasting, physical and mental positive benefits for girls and boys who participate which far outweigh the inherent risks, especially when sports are taught and practiced in a responsible manner.

A Great Year to Study Leadership

We must present examples of positive leaders with integrity and the values we want to instill in our children, says a longtime baseball coach, and the athletic field provides players with the opportunity to learn and test those values.
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