Toddlers and school-aged children are quite good at noncompliance; they have this knack for playing deaf and ignoring whomever they would like to ignore when they want. We often hear parents or nannies complain about needing to repeat requests and raise their voices to get through to the child behind the wall of noncompliance. Children do not do this just for spite, to annoy or frustrate adults; they do it because they have to. Children and fun are inseparable. When a child is having fun doing something, he would naturally want to keep doing it. That is why it takes…

One of the many challenges that parents face is the decision to enroll their child in a sports program for the first time. When to enroll, where to enroll, and in what sport? All three questions can be tricky, and all three will have a significant impact on your child’s development.

The when is partially dictated by the league. Many sports are open to 4 year olds. But is your four year old ready? In my experience as a coach and a father, I’ve found five to be more appropriate for most children. At five…

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.  These sounds kept running through my head for the 36 hour journey.  The sound of my baby’s heartbeat heard just a few days prior.  As I kissed my wife for the last time in 120 days, I was crushed.  What kind of father will I be?  Who could just leave their unborn child and wife?

I’ve been in the military for almost eleven years and have spent numerous years away from wife (while we were still dating) and even a few months right after saying, ‘I do.’ None of that time apart stung as much as this.

It is…

I taught myself how to play the guitar when I was 17. Yes, I started late, but I learned fast. Just a year after learning the guitar, I played bass in a band that my brother and I started. During that time I seriously considered pursuing a career in music, so I learned everything there was to learn about music. But time changes things and some things had to be set aside; my music took the backseat as I pursued my degree. But music did not die in my heart, it just lay dormant, waiting to be tapped into wakefulness….

Next time you parents out there tell your children they can’t play a sport, I want you to think again.  As a teen, I think sports are very good for teens.  Read on to hear my thoughts.

First off, sports get teens active!  With everyone so worried about the obesity ‘crisis’ here’s my solution: get active and eat well! Sports allow teens to get active and have fun. I run track and cross-country, do karate, and ski. And guess what? I’m currently losing weight!  So, if you feel your teen needs to be healthier, have her play a sport. Also, sports are fun….