Are Youth Sports Controlling Your Family Life?
This article is a must-read for any parent struggling to maintain control over the runaway train known as youth sports in their family’s lives. This is a topic that is near and dear to me because it is something that my wife and I are facing with our two daughters who are now 9 and 7. Like […]
Read MoreWake-up Call for All Sports Parents
A compelling article in the New York Times titled All Played Out, written by an orthopedic surgeon and sports father, nails the problem with youth sports directly on the head. Every parent of a young athlete should take a long and hard look in the mirror at why they have their children participating in sports. […]
Read MoreEarly Sports Specialization Hurts Children
An eye-opening article smashing the myth that early specialization in sports gives children a leg up in later athletic success. In fact, the research shows otherwise. Plus, early specialization in a sport results in increased injuries. These findings should be a wake-up call to parents who attempt to rush their children toward specializing in one sport in the […]
Read MoreAre Parents Ruining Youth Sports?
A great article about the role of parents in youth sports these days. This article is an indictment on what I call ‘the professionalization of youth sports.’ It should compel every parent whose children play organized sports to pause, look in the mirror, and ask some tough questions about why their children play and how invested they […]
Read MoreLatest News: Excellent Article Argues Against Over-Praise and Trophies
If you have kids, I think you’ll enjoy this commentary by Ashley Merryman that, in support of my own view, argues that praising innate ability and giving so-called participation awards actually hurts children. To read my perspective on praise, read my blog post, Don’t Praise Your Children, which, interestingly, is the most-read post I’ve ever […]
Read MoreSports: Young Athletes Forced to Choose Between Club and High School
I see this dilemma constantly in youth sports. Young athletes who aspire to be the best by playing on a club team, but also want to enjoy the competition of high school sports, must often choose one or the other. Is it fair? Is it necessary? Here’s a great article that describes the conundrum that […]
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