With 2007 just a few days away, I find myself thinking about my goals for the new year. As the father of a 9 and 7 year old, both of whom are active in sports, here are a few sports-related goals I hope to accomplish:

1. Set a good example as a sports parent. I, like most parents, want my kids to have fun, but also to do well. I need to do a better job of not coaching from the sidelines and letting them enjoy themselves.

2. Encourage their athletic interests with involvement. My kids tend to get very interested in certain sports or athletic activities for some period of time, and then move on to other things. I want to say "Yes" more when they ask to play soccer, basketball, go bike riding, etc., with me.

3. Have them try new activities. In 2006 I introduced my kids to golf, and we had a lot of fun hitting whiffle balls at the park, golf balls into nets and putting. I want to continue doing this with other sports, especially those I'm interested in.

 I really enjoy doing sports-related activities with my kids, and these three resolutions should help increase their interest in such activites for the coming year.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Heidi Musser wasn't allowed to participate in physical education classes in high school because she was blind. Musser has heard that same "you're blind, so you can't play" message most of her life.

Musser, though, was determined to prove otherwise. And prove it she has. Musser has competed in more than 20 triathlons, competitions which combine swimming, biking and running. She's also finished one Ironman Triathlon, which consists of a 2.5-mile swim, 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run, which is a full marathon.

Few sighted people have competed in a triathlon, much less an Ironman, and Musser's example shows what can be accomplished through determination and perseverance. It's also just one of many stories of people with disabilities being able to accomplish great things in sports by putting their mind to it.

Musser may have had more to overcome than most of us to get there, but that's what makes her story, and her lesson to all of us, so compelling.

Posted by at 09:13 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  My son Graham is playing in an instructional basketball league that starts in a few weeks, and I wanted to coach his team. Rather than just calling the league to volunteer, I asked Graham what he thought of my coaching. "That's great dad," he said, "as long as it's something you want to do."

We then talked a little about how I would need to treat him and his teammates the same, and that during practices and games our relationship would be more coach-son than father-son. He was fine with that as well. The real challenge for me is to not be harder on, or expect more from, Graham than from his teammates. The bottom line, though, is I'm glad he wants me to coach his team, and I'm happy I asked him his thoughts before signing up.

Posted by at 09:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

It's interesting to see what happens when kids show above average ability in sports. Many parents suddenly start thinking about sports scholarships, private instruction, etc. Some even think about professional careers, which we all know realistically is a level very, very few youth sports athletes will ever reach.

What is it that makes some otherwise good sports parents stop thinking rationally when it comes to their child's ability and future in sports? The challenge for all of us is to keep our kids' best interests in mind at times like these, rather than our own.

I have had a little personal experience with this. Both my son and daughter take gymnastics classes, and the gymnastics center recently told us that our daughter was good enough to move up a level. This would require a three-day-a-week commitment vs. one now, and participating in meets, which she doesn't do know.

I must admit my first thought was that this would be great, if my daughter wanted to do this. It turned out that she didn't. She really likes going once a week, but felt that was enough. It's amazing how often kids know what's best for them. The key is that we listen to them. She's still doing gymnastics once a week and really likes it, which probably wouldn't be the case if we talked her into moving up. She may decide down the road that she'd like to get more serious with gymnastics, but for now she's having fun, getting exercise and enjoying her gymnastics experience, which is just fine with me.

Posted by at 10:35 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)