Remembering Wyatt Cragan

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 21:23. | comments

Many of my readers have asked me where I have been this summer. "What have you been doing? We miss your blogging and articles." In fact, I decided to take a two month respite from writing to focus my attention on the administrative end of the business with the intent to start my writing again after September 1st. Next week I will write more about our foray into the iPhone app world, and the exciting changes that are in store for MomsTeam; but something has been weighing heavily on my mind all summer and now seems the appropriate time to publish my thoughts as many young people head back to school and start a new sports year.

Accounting and Financial Disclosure in Youth Sports: Questions from Parents

Fully disclosing the finances of a youth sports organization is the sign of a well-run club, but unfortunately, parents have more questions than they are provided answers.

Brooke de Lench

Dealing with the Cost of Sports in the Tough Economy

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 17:41. | comments

Last week, I spent an interesting hour as a guest on the "Charlotte Talks" show on Charlotte's National Public Radio station. The show was titled "Youth Sports and The Law."

Brooke de Lench

Watching Kids Play Sports Can Be Tough For Some Safety-Conscious Parents

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 18:01. | comments

My first-born son, Taylor (granted, he is only older than his two triplet brothers by a minute!), has taken up a new sport: Ice climbing. He loves it, but I have to say I am less than thrilled. Should I worry?

I am often asked by safety-conscious parents for advice on how to be less nervous watching their children play sports. The questions come from first-time sports dads watching their children play sports against bigger kids to moms who admit to biting their nails during their sons' wrestling matches and football games.

Most Youth Sports Coaches Are Men, All Team Parents Are Women, Study Finds

A 2009 study confirms what many sports parents have long known: the gender divide in youth sports is no different than in the home and the workplace: the vast majority of head coaching slots are men, and nearly all of the team mom positions are held by women, many reluctantly.

Empowering Women To Take More Active Role in Youth Sports

Women need to push for leadership roles in youth sports both as coaches and administrators to protect their children from needless injury playing sports and help break down the gender stereotyping and sexist attitudes that permeate today's youth sports culture more than 25 years after the passage of Title IX.

Coaching a Boys' Soccer Team: One Mom's Story

One mom's story of how she fought gender stereotypes and the old boy network to coach a team of 12-year-old boys to a successful soccer season.

Good Sideline Behavior By Parents Sets Right Example for Children

Good sportsmanship by parents on the sports sidelines is essential.

Misbehaving Youth Sports Parents Too Common

Clearly, some parents are taking children's games far too seriously. The games are for our children, yet time and time again, we are witness to parents losing control. What lessons are our children learning when they see mothers and fathers yelling insults at referees, hands clenched, faces red with anger?

Attend Child's Game As Fan, Not Coach

Young players need to learn from their mistakes, as much as from their successes. Not only do they get confused if parents and coaches are constantly yelling criticism or plays, all that yelling can do long-lasting psychological damage.

Brooke de Lench