I've enjoyed throwing the football for many years, going back to the days when I used to toss the ball with my dad. I like nothing better than doing this with my kids, but I've learned that for them, they more creative or fun I can make it the better.

For example, during a recent beach vacation, my kids were both very interested in throwing the ball while in the water, diving through and over waves to catch the ball. What made it fun for them was that this was something different, and we spent parts of several days doing this and had a great time.

I've also found that taking a football on family walks and hikes is a good way to get the kids engaged. The key is to find or create opportunities to make sports fun for your kids. The focus on the above examples is not on throwing the football, but combining it with other activities that make those events more enjoyable -- for my kids and for me. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:00 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Our family has spent most nights during the past two weeks watching the Summer Olympics. For my kids -- ages 8 and 11 -- one of the best things about this has been exposing them to so many different sports featuring world-class athletes.

While paying special attention to sports like gymnastics, swimming and basketball that they participate in, they've also expressed interest in trying other sports, like volleyball, badminton, pole vaulting and diving, that they watched.

This is a great opportunity to build on this Olympic inspiration and have my kids try some of these sports. While we're not going to rush out and start pole vaulting anytime soon, we've had several discussions about what sports they liked most and might like to try. I'm eager to see where this inspiration may lead.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:23 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I officially have Olympic fever. Here are some of the reasons I enjoy the Summer Olympics:

• I like watching the best athletes in the world compete for Olympic gold.
• I like the pagentry of the opening and closing ceremonies.
• I like watching and talking Olympics with my kids.
• I like watching sports I see only once every four years.
• I like stories like U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps going for a record eight golds.
• I like rooting for the U.S. athletes, especially in events where they are underdogs.
• I like learning more about great foreign athletes I've never heard of.
• I like listening to NBC's Bob Costas in prime time.
• I like hearing the Star-Spangled Banner.
• I like the fact that in many sports, it's truly amateurs competing for the highest honor in their sports.

Let the Games begin.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:15 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)