Time for a Vacation

Sports, sports, and more sports. Finding time for a vacation is almost impossible. You run from one game to the next, a private lesson, a camp, and then a skills clinic. How could you possibly leave town?

Take the time. Make the time. Go on a vacation and have some fun.

I know...Suzie can't miss her gymnastics practice or Joey will get cut from his football team if your family heads out of town. Unfortunately, it's inevitable that one of you or your children will have to miss something.

Do your best to choose a good time and stick to it. Get away and relax. Kids, just like you, need a break once in a while. You know the feeling--*awe*. When you're away, you don't worry about your day-to-day routine. Upon your return, you're refreshed and ready to jump back into your life with renewed energy. Kids feel the same way.

When you're deciding on the best time to get away, be sure to consider the following:

• Don't leave at the beginning of the season. Kids are just starting to get in shape. If your child misses the gradual steps towards getting in shape, he risks injury by working out too hard upon his return.
  
• Try not to leave during important tryouts. Tryouts are important for children and coaches. Your child will feel more comfortable and true part of the team if he earns a spot just like everyone else.
  
• Try not to leave for a long period of time during season. You signed your child up for a team and he's committed. If it's possible to wait until the season ends, wait.
  
• Let your child help you choose a time. Your child might resist the idea of leaving town because of love of the game, fear of being punished by a coach upon return, or simply fear of the unknown. By involving her with the decision making, she might feel more comfortable with the ultimate decision.
  

Remember to enjoy your time away!

Youth Coaches: Please Stand While Coaching!

I've recently noticed a few coaches sitting while coaching youth sports. I completely disagree with this method. Instead of explaining the negatives, I share with you here a few reasons why I encourage coaches to stand:

1) A coach who stands appears enthusiastic. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. Trust me, it can be catching. Part of being a coach is having enthusiasm for the game.

2) It's easier to motivate players while standing. Have you ever seen a hockey coach (at any level) sit on the bench while coaching? How about an NBA or NFL coach? No way! Sure, your young child is not a pro player, but I certainly hope that if he's part of a team at any age, you would want him to be motivated in some manner.

3) Standing actually helps a coach to "coach" the kids. Yes, I mean "coach" the kids--talk to them, explain what they're doing right or wrong or what they should be doing. This helps kids to learn and improve.

I beg you to encourage your child's coach to stand. Trust me. I strongly believe it's in your child's best interest. If you disagree with this post, please let me know - I'd love to hear from you.

Kim

The "Supersize" Reward...

Score a goal and you'll get a reward... I'm certain that most of you have offered a reward to your child or heard another parent offer a reward for scoring goals. In my opinion, this method of motivation can be helpful.

Keep in mind that rewarding a child with expensive gifts or dishing or large amounts of money is certainly not what I'm talking about. What I'm suggesting is just offering a little motivation--sort of like paying a child an allowance for completing chores. For scoring goals, assisting on a goal, or efforts to make good passes, you can offer fun rewards (and not neccessarily monetary) such as the following:

• ice cream after the game
• pizza celebration
• afternoon at the zoo
• movie rental
• time at the park with dad

Earlier this week, I heard a parent offer her daughter an order of french fries if she worked hard and scored a goal in the soccer game. Well, the player scored two goals so her mom made that a "supersize" order of fries. Simple, yet fun!

Be creative. Look for ways to motivate your child in sports, just like you motivate him to do homework or to participate in other activities. Ultimately, you want a well-rounded child, and if that takes a little motivation with rewards, so be it.

-Kim

Remember the Aches and Pains

While we're cheering and encouraging our kids to work hard in their sport, we tend to forget about the aches and pains and wear and tear on their young bodies.

I went almost two weeks without any intense exercise. And then I decided the other day to jump into a kick-boxing class. Ouch! I'm paying the price with those ultra-sore muscles. You know--the kind that make you cringe evey time you walk up or down the stairs. Since I've been complaining about it, I began to empathize with my kids and their aches and pains.

Most kids are in school all day, participate in sports practices after school, and sometimes play outside, too. Think of the physical toll on their bodies the next time they're exhausted and complaining of sore muscles. It might be annoying to hear them whine, but if you get out there and workout, you'll get a real good taste of how kids feel.

Keep this in mind the next time your child complains of sore muscles and be sure to have a little compassion!

That Team Won't Win...

I said that their team wouldn't win, or even couldn't win. And then...they won! Even if the odds are against a team, any team has the potential to win. Parents, (including me), should remember that.

My son's hockey team played in a regional playoff tournament this weekend. His team is average so I truly didn't think they would qualify for the final round. Of course, they qualified for the final round. That being said, I'm now rooting for his team to win in the final round and hoping they move on to nationals.

The next time that you get frustrated with your child's team, keep in mind that any team has the potential to win. Even teams that have been losing game after game have the ability turn around and surprise you by pulling together, working hard, improving their skills, changing their attitudes, or simply doing whatever it takes to change their luck.

For the sake of your child...stay positive!

-Kim

The Secret of Sport Pyschology

Is there a secret to sport physchology? According to Jim Thompson, founder of The Positive Coaching Alliance, he has found the secret:

"Focus on what you can control and block out the rest."

I found this quote in Thompson's new book, Positive Sports Parenting: How "Second-Goal" Parents Raise Winners in Life Through Sports. He explains that athletes can control some things and not others. In my opinion, Thompson would like sports parents to understand this secret to help guide their children appropriately in sports.

Parents shouldn't yell and scream if their child loses a game. Why not? A child can not control a win or loss. A child can control their effort, their responses, and other factors. My tip for today is to encourage your child athlete to focus on controllable elements.

Good luck!

-Kim

Learning to Love Youth Sports...

Is it possible--do some sports parents hate youth sports? Are there really parents out there with no desire to watch a youth baseball, basketball, or soccer game? Ouch!

Yes, it's possible that a parent might not enjoy watching a youth sports game, but I firmly believe that everyone can learn to enjoy watching their own child play a sport. The following tips are ways to help you ignite an interest in a sport:

1. Watch for improvement. Seeing your daughter swim a lap two seconds faster than her last race can add some excitement to those quick races.
2. Learn the game. If you learn the rules of a game, you'll have a better understanding and know what to look for when you're watching.
3. Try the sport. That's right...if you actually get out in the yard and throw the football with ten of the neighborhood kids, you might feel the excitement and understand the thrill of success when you're actually playing the game.
4. Join in the hype. Many parents get pumped up and excited when watching a youth sports game. Even if you're not thrilled because you don't have the same passion as your child, fake it. Passion can be catchy if you give it a try.

Go team!