Coach's Corner

Teachable Moments: When your child walks off the field

BlogAdmin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:34:00 GMT

Those early ball games, before the kids have an understanding of strategy or the necessary skills to implement it, are mini-contests of endurance for dedicated parents. Sitting it out under the blazing sun, you may realize with amusement that you’ve unconsciously shifted from cheering for your child’s team to rooting generically for the outfield! And then, when the saga is finally about to come to a close, a teammate botches an easy play, the opposing team scores two runs, and...(read more)

Teaching kids to be inclusive is a parent’s job

BlogAdmin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:33:00 GMT

The world of a child or a teenager is a relatively small place. It centers around family, school, perhaps a religious institution, and peers. Unlike adults, kids don’t have the freedom of venturing far outside of those boundaries. As a result, what happens within them has tremendous impact on how they feel about themselves. They learn to define and value themselves – from “popular” to “geek” -- based on how readily they are able to “fit in”. Surprisingly, you may actually find...(read more)

Bad behavior is mostly good

BlogAdmin — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:29:00 GMT

Imagine yourself a witness to breaking news as you oversee the activities of your three-year-old, Amber, and her friend Carly while working at your desk. Colorful toys litter the floor, more than enough to occupy the imaginations of two little children for an hour. A hush falls on the room that causes you to look up just in time to see your daughter eyeing the robot her friend is playing with. Before you can respond to the signs of impending disaster, she shrieks, “I want...(read more)

Daddy Can We Have A Puppy?

BlogAdmin — Wed, 30 May 2007 09:01:00 GMT

Kids and pets just go together. It starts harmlessly with the goldfish won at the school carnival, graduates to hamsters, and before you know it the ante is upped. Your children want a dog. And a dog can be a beloved addition to your family, if you go in with your eyes open....(read more)

Teach Kids About Life's Downs and Ups

BlogAdmin — Wed, 16 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

One of the scariest parts about walking through life’s toughest moments is the fear that our children will be harmed by seeing us upset. But if you think about it, it would be unusual indeed for a parent never to experience personal crisis over the years of parenting....(read more)

Growing Pains for Mom and Dad

BlogAdmin — Wed, 09 May 2007 09:58:00 GMT

It’s not that you’re not busy the rest of the year, but things are really hopping in May. The end of the school year brings a cascade of sporting events, plays, and concerts. Just when you’re congratulating yourself on your dedication ...(read more)

Getting Ready for Overnight Camp

BlogAdmin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:46:00 GMT

An ounce of prevention for homesickness Summer camp sounds like a carefree vacation with just the right mix of the outdoors, great activities and the company of friends. And it is all that, but there’s also another side to the experience. Going away from home is hard work developmentally and emotionally for kids. The structure of their familiar daily routine and the support of people who love them is suddenly replaced with a whole set of new experiences. Relocating...(read more)

Three-year olds try out the art of spin

BlogAdmin — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:10:00 GMT

“I did use soap! See the bubbles?” proclaims your sticky-fingered 3-year-old, chin jutted out, barely taller than the bathroom sink. It’s a shock to discover that your child has developed the savvy to spin a tall tale to avoid your disapproval! Not to worry: it’s normal for kids to experiment with avoiding rules and consequences. Your child is showing that she knows what she should have done and she knows to attempt to avoid trouble by dodging accountability. So take heart:...(read more)

Is your teen ready to drive?

BlogAdmin — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:31:00 GMT

Turning sixteen is the exciting first step into the adult world of possibility, independence, college, careers, and a life of one’s own – but it’s not magic. Hitting that 16th birthday doesn’t transform the adolescent who couldn’t remember to take out the garbage yesterday into a bastion of maturity. However, maturity is what’s needed for your teen to safely drive a car. So what’s a parent to do? Start by thinking of the law as the minimum driving age. ...(read more)

Raise a Take-Charge Kid

BlogAdmin — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:29:00 GMT

A household is really a small community, and just as in a school or a neighborhood, its success depends on everyone’s participation. An important aspect of that success is taking care of the house. With a small “community” of busy people, that’s not always easy to do. However, when each family member feels some ownership in the results, keeping things running don’t have to be a source of ongoing strife. Traditionally, parents assign chores to each child, based on age...(read more)

When Mom Goes Back to Work

BlogAdmin — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:28:00 GMT

Going back to work? It’s an exciting new beginning – and having that steady paycheck means a lot in terms of security and opportunities for your family. But sometime during your first week working outside your home you’re likely to become painfully aware of the sheer quantity of details and tasks that you handled automatically before. That realization leaves you with a choice to make. One option is to try to “do it all.” At least you’ll know it’s getting...(read more)

What's in a "No?"

BlogAdmin — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:26:00 GMT

Why is it that when you reasonably answer “no” to your child’s request, it sometimes results in hurt feelings that last for hours or even days? Even more mysterious, why is it that hearing “no” from other people doesn’t seem to upset her? Take this example -- Friday night has arrived, a TGIF if ever there was one. You are beyond ready to put your feet up – right after you pick up your 14-year-old daughter and her friends from the movies. Relief is so close you...(read more)

Helicopter Parents

BlogAdmin — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:19:00 GMT

‘Helicopter parents’ – too much of a good thing? It can be tough to decide how best to respond when your child has a problem. On one hand, you don’t want your kids to experience unnecessary pain; on the other hand, you want them to grow up to be responsible. Besides, it’s a competitive world, and you don’t want your children’s mistakes to cost them opportunities that require a record of high achievement. In this context, it feels urgent to advocate...(read more)

More Fun

BlogAdmin — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:18:00 GMT

Less pressure, more fun with your children It’s an energizing idea to build fun into the whirlwind of family life, but scheduling some playtime may sound impossible. Top priority already goes to the things that absolutely have to be accomplished -- like getting the kids off to school in the morning, fed at night, and making sure they do their homework. Next in line is transporting them to a myriad of extracurricular activities. Superimposed onto the whole picture are...(read more)

Summer Camp

BlogAdmin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:17:00 GMT

Building your child’s readiness for summer camp It may look like the North Pole outside your living room window, but look again! Summer’s just a blink away, and that means it’s already time to think about summer camp. It’s amazing what kids can pick up in those few short, but powerful weeks of sleep-away camp. With opportunities for swimming, sailing, canoeing or waterskiing, campers learn the skills to manage themselves safely in the water. Hiking and camping give...(read more)