Tag Archives: pressures

Emotional health in sports

Posted on October 14, 2011 | Leave a comment
Sport in childhood. Association football, show...

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I wanted to share something that I thought was worthwhile for all parents of young children to ponder about.  It comes out of a publication that I get called Exchange Everyday specifically for parents or teachers when dealing with children.

“Youth sports organizations are reaching deeper into the preschool years, urging parents to sign kids up for soccer or rugby as early as age 3.”  This alarming claim was made by Sue Shellenbarger in her

Wall Street

Journal column (June 3, 2011) that was brought to our
attention by Eric Karolak.  Shellenbarger shared guidelines

from experts on involving kids in organized sports…

  • Avoid competition, which can be stressful for kids before the age of 7 or 8.  Keep the focus on fun.
  • Don’t make a child specialize in one sport at an early age.  Sports researchers say young players have more fun and develop better as athletes if they are encouraged to play many sports.  Well-rounded kids are also far less likely to lose interest and burn out when they reach their teens.
  • Take at least one or two seasons off each year, so kids can rest their bodies.
  • Don’t allow yourself to feel pressured by other parents who enroll their kids in lots of organized programs.

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Stubborn children?

Posted on October 4, 2011 | 2 comments
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Image by norfolkdistrict via Flickr

I’ve been asked what to do when you have stubborn children. I’ve thought about it and a couple of things have come to my mind. One thing that must happen is that you as the parent HAVE to win the battle. It is important that a child knows that you are the boss, that you are in control. Children have a need for safety and they want you to have control. Of course if you asked them they’d say a big resounding NO WAY but research into child development has shown that children thrive when they have boundaries and they want and need limits. It makes them feel safe. I remember when I was growing up. My dad would always make

sure the doors were locked when we went to bed. Now, when I was a kid I didn’t think too much about it, just that that was my Dad’s job, I guess. But when I got married I wanted my husband to lock up every night because it made me feel safe and it made me feel loved and taken care of. I didn’t realize that I wanted that or needed that until my husband didn’t do it. Then I missed it. I explained that to him and he began taking that responsibility to lock up the house.
It makes me feel good to know that he cares about me enough to do that. Well, I digressed a little but it is relevant. Children want you to take control so DO IT. Don’t be unreasonable and if you make a mistake, apologize and move forward. But be firm about what it is you will and will not tolerate. Set house rules. Set limits. Give choices so that they have options but options that you choose. And give consequences. This is extremely important. There will always
be consequences to every choice we make so teach them this when they are young and they will begin to make the right choice based on the consequence. Children are children. They aren’t designed to be in control. That creates chaos. Take charge. That probably won’t cure their stubborness but it’ll sure make you feel better when you know you are doing the right thing to help your child to grow and flourish and
become the wonderful person that they were meant to be. I encourage you to persevere. Hang in there. It’ll get better
Just be consistent.

Check out our website at http://www.alomaeclc.com

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