Kids are beginning formal sports at younger and younger ages with parents pushing harder and harder for that scholarship their children may earn someday.

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. is the author of Parenting Young Athletes the Ripken Way. Ripken worries that youth sports are “a highly pressurized environment,” created in part by parents who want to live vicariously through their kids. The pressure comes from a parent pushing too hard, trying to make a star out of them or putting too much emphasis on winning.

Ripken believes “before kids really learn how to play, they need to experience the good and the bad, sometimes the positive, sometimes the negative, a little adversity, and they need to learn the game, and they should be allowed to make mistakes. When you emphasize winning, those mistakes really aren’t allowed.”

There is such a seriousness about sports, says Ripken, that kids are playing just one sport all year-round at an early age, which can lead to physical and/or mental burnout. “Kids need the opportunity to have fun; they need the opportunity to explore and play the game.”

Ripken wants parents to “maybe rethink how we support our kids because the power is in the coaches and the parents.” He encourages parents to stay on the sidelines to watch and allow the game to unfold to the kids so they can truly enjoy the sport. Says Ripken, parents should “just act like we are almost invisible, but support the right way by putting our arms around the kids when they need it and kind of encouraging them in a small way.”

“Ultimately, parents should let kids play the game, it’s their childhood.”

Are you pushing your kids too hard?

Read more about The New Breed of Athletes in Bringing up Beckham: Raising athletic kids.

You know it’s wrong, but sometimes you’re so angry with your spouse that you fight with him in front of your children.

As a couple, you must agree to stop this. No matter how big the issue between you and your spouse, you are wrong to drag the children into it.

Dr. Phil offers this strategy for never fighting in front of your children again:

• Together with your spouse, develop a visual cue — holding up your hand, for example — to signal that a fight is starting and the kids are watching.
• When the urge to fight arises, turn around and walk away. Remind yourself that if you don’t, “you are attacking your kids, putting your need to explode ahead of their well-being and peace of mind,” say Dr. Phil.
• Write down your thoughts and feelings to discuss with each other later — privately. If you and your partner truly attempt to communicate, you’ll be less likely to argue.
• Stop talking about anger. Anger usually masks a deeper problem such as hurt, frustration or fear. Speaking about the root cause of your disagreement may prevent a full-blown angry fight.
• Don’t replace arguing with the silent treatment. It’s important to express your needs to your spouse; he’s not a mind reader. Be honest and specific, and try to remain calm.
• Focus on cooperation over competition. Don’t feel compelled to always win or be right. As Dr. Phil so frequently asks, “Would you rather be happy or right?”
• Once you and your spouse have resolved your problem, acknowledge the peace. A long, quiet hug may be all you need.

Remember, your children have never asked to be put in the middle of an argument. Children are loyal to their parents and torn when they see them divided. Loving your spouse is one of the best gifts you can give your children.

Read more:

• Mom vs. Dad: When parents disagree on discipline
• Healthy conflict resolution: Should kids see their parents argue?

Parents magazine searched the US for communities offering affordable homes, good schools, friendly neighborhoods and a commitment to the environment. The result? A list of the 10 Best Towns for Families: 2008. Here are five of them. Is your town on the list?

1. South Burlington, Vermont

• Population — 17,367
• Median home price — $237,500
• Households with children — 29%
• Student-to-teach ratio — 14:1
• Residents who recycle — 52%
• Perfect for — outdoor enthusiasts: hunting, bicycling, gardening, skiiing, and beaches

2. Oro Valley, Arizona

• Population — 36,704
• Median home price — $330,000
• Households with children — 31%
• Student-to-teacher ratio — 21:1
• Residents who recycle — 55%
• Perfect for — volunteers: community centers, litter control, senior helpers at school

3. Brunswick, Ohio

• Population — 38,051
• Median home price — $159,500
• Households with children — 43%
• Student/teacher ratio — 18:1
• Residents who recycle — 49%
• Perfect for — community service folks: youth groups, local citizen groups, down-home town leaders

4. Shoreview, Minnesota

• Population — 24,921
• Median home price — $250,569
• Households with children — 42%
• Student/teacher ratio — 19:1
• Residents who recycle — 51%
• Perfect for — water lovers: wetlands, lakes, indoor water park, and a commitment to pristine waters

5. Wheeling, Illinois

• Population: 33,786
• Median home price — $216,000
• Households with children — 35%
• Student/teacher ratio — 16:1
• Residents who recycle — 47%
• Perfect for — diversity: families from China, India, Korea, Russia and beyond

Rounding out the top five are

• Rocklin, California
• Webster Groves, Missouri
• Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• Royal Palm Beach, Florida
• Ankeny, Iowa

Tell us: What makes your hometown great for families?

Read more:

• Rediscovering your hometown
  
• Best Florida beaches
  
• Best cities for 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

Your child got through chicken pox and the flu. The disease that frightens him the most, however, is cooties.

According to Disney Family’s Parentpedia, kids are terrified of cooties. If they look it up on the Internet, they’ll find this definition from Wikipedia:

This fictional disease is believed to be highly contagious. It is generally carried by members of the opposite sex and is caught through any form of bodily contact.

Parentpedia suggests, “cooties are just one way that children try to make sesnse out of gender roles and the relationships in their lives. Claiming that the opposite sex has cooties, in fact, gives children a way to explore what makes boys — or girls — tick.”

Ew. Boys hate girls, and girls hate boys. They tease and call each other names and avoid physical contact with everything they’ve got.

Beware: That’s called Flirting 101. Let’s hope cooties are the only thing your child ever catches from the opposite sex.

Read more about kids and cooties at Booty is in the eye of the beholder.

Do you want to have a positive impact on your community while instilling good values in your children?

Volunteer. Volunteering as a family introduces children how to give back … and it’s fun!

The USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network helps you find service projects in your area. You can also contact local volunteer centers, libraries, churches, community and senior centers, police and fire stations, and park services.

Here are some terrific volunteer ideas for your family:

• Join a Habitat for Humanity build. Your family can help another family’s home ownership dream come true.
• Even more exciting for kids is KaBOOM! Your family can take part in a one-day playground build that will serve local children for years to come.
• Participate in a reading program - you and your children can read books to seniors and younger children. Visit the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People Bookshelf for reading suggestions.
• Collect food for your local food bank. Through your church, scouts, or on your own, your family can help keep the shelves well-stocked.

Volunteering as a family will bring you closer together. The opportunities are endless, and you’ll be surprised by what you can do to help your community.

Read more:

• Selecting volunteer projects for your child
• Teaching charity to our children

Kids and pets are great together. And according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), children raised with pets show numerous benefits.
A child’s love of his or her pet contributes to the development of good qualities, such as compassion and empathy. Establishing a positive relationship with a pet impacts the way a child interacts with other people.

Here are other ways in which having a pet benefits kids:

• Children talk to their pets, and feel safe confiding their deepest secrets and most private thoughts.
• Raising a pet offers lessons about life, including reproduction, birth, death, and bereavement.
• Kids learn responsibility when the task of caring for a pet is assigned to them.
• Walking and playing with a pet provides a fun fitness opportunity.

Children are typically gentle with pets. As they care for them, they learn respect for other living things. Some children, however, are too rough with animals - posing a danger for themselves and for the pet. Kids who are intentionally abusive toward animals may be suffering serious emotional problems and should be referred to a child psychiatrist for evaluation.

Read more:
Pets are good medicine: The health benefits of pet therapy
Furry, friendly and healthy: Pets are good for your health

Participating in sports helps kids learn teamwork and discipline, but it also carries the risk of injury. While injuries are common in sports, especially among young kids who are still developing, there are ways to prevent them:

Insist on qualified adult supervision. The philosophy of the coach/instructor should focus first and foremost on the player’s well-being, rather than a win-at-all-costs vision. See that the adults supervising the practices and games are trained in first aid and CPR or that a certified trainer is on-site during the action.

Use proper equipment. Always make sure safety gear is properly fitted and in good condition. Safety equipment includes helmets, protective eye wear, sport-specific shoes, mouth guards, and athletic cups, among others. Protective equipment should be approved by organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Maintain safe playing surfaces. Whether your child is competing on a grassy field, a wood gym floor, or a concrete court, make sure the condition of the playing surface is well maintained and free of tripping hazards, holes, ruts, or sharp edges.

Emphasize preparation and fitness. It is important that your child understand the rules and techniques of the sport, and that he or she be sufficiently warmed-up before practices and games. Water or sports drinks should be available at all times to prevent dehydration.

Place with care. Make sure your children are matched for sports according to skill, size, and overall maturity.

Despite your efforts, your child may get injured while playing sports. Some injuries can be treated on the spot with first aid, while others may require a trip to the emergency room. Your child’s doctor should be notified of all injuries, in case a complication or re-injury occurs.

Has your child gotten hurt while participating in sports?  Tell us about it!

Read more: Some kids enjoy too much of a good thing in sports

A long-term study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) finds that the activity level of American children drops sharply between the ages of 9 and 15. The study evaluated the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of children to determine whether or not they achieved at least 60 minutes of activity per day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling as examples of moderate physical activities, and jogging, aerobic dancing, swimming continous laps, and uphill bicycling as examples of vigorous physical activities.

The study followed more than 1,000 children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds and determined the following:

• At age 9, the children averaged about three hours of MVPA, but by age 15 they averaged only 49 minutes per weekday and 35 minutes per weekend.
• At ages 9 and 11, more than 90% of the children evaluated met the 60 minutes or more of daily MVPA. At age 15, only 31% met the recommended level on weekdays (and only 17% on weekends).
• Girls’ activity levels declined earlier than boys, dropping below 60 minutes of MVPA at age 12 or 13, versus boys at age 13 or 14.

NIH encourages parents to take family walks with their children. Walking for even 15 minutes a day provides health benefits. On weekends, families could concentrate on taking longer walks or doing more intense activities.  For tips and other resources to help families increase physical activity, visit We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition). We Can! is a science-based education program from the National Institutes of Health.

Source: Science Daily.com

For more about adolescents and physical activity, read Attitude about exercise affects girls’ perception of physical activity.

Most parents are aware that routinely giving their kids soft drinks can lead to tooth decay and obesity. What many parents may not have considered, however, is that many sodas and iced teas also contain caffeine - as much as an adult cup of coffee!

Too much caffeine affects children just like it does adults:

• kids may become jittery or nervous
• they may complain of headaches or an upset stomach
• some kids will have difficulty concentrating
• kids who drink caffeine later in the day may have trouble falling or staying asleep
• caffeine can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure

Caffeine is a “drug” that stimulates the central nervous system. It doesn’t take long for kids who consume a lot of caffeine to develop a reduced sensitivity to it and desire higher “doses” of it. Although caffeine is not stored in the body - it passes through urination - kids may feel its effects for up to six hours!

The best way to reduce a child’s intake of caffeine is to replace soda and iced tea with water, milk, or 100% fruit juice. Kids who are addicted to caffeine may suffer withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability or headaches, but the discomfort will lessen over time.

And if a child is tired, it’s important that he or she gets extra rest - not a jolt of caffeine.

Source:  KidsHealth.org

Read more: Why caffeine can keep you awake

All-terrain vehicles - or ATVs - are not safe for kids under the age of 16. ATVs by design are unstable - coupling that with a child’s small size can be dangerous.

According to Chetan C. Shah, M.D., the most common injury suffered by kids on ATVs is a leg fracture, which long-term can lead to disability. But ATVs - as well as dirt bikes, mopeds, and other motorized vehicles - can also cause serious injuries to the head and spine and even death.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 40,000 children under 16 were treated in emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries.

Even with a helmet, children under the age of 16 should not operate two-, three-, and four-wheeled motorized vehicles.

Bicycles, too, can be dangerous. Read Bikes pose dangers to learn why kids’ bike injuries are a major concern.