Pushing your kids--how much is too much? Three signs that you're turning into THAT parent

This month, in honor of the Olympics, I've been chatting about getting those kiddos into sports at a young age. And based on the information I found out last week, some sports (think gymnastics and soccer) are great outlets for the little ones, as long as the activity is done in moderation and with a whole bunch of fun.


But it doesn't take much for a mom or dad with good intentions to become competitive on their children's behalf, and even though we know we need to stay on top of those kids (I mean, kids have it pretty swell these days, hey? An IPhone at four, right?) to keep them from becoming entitled lazy heads, it's easy to go the other way and cross a few lines that might make us more of a "Dance Mom" than our kids' best advocates.


I talked to several coaches who work with a variety of levels and ages in their respective sports programs, and here's a few signs that you may be turning into someone that makes other people shake their heads and click their tongues. Come on, you know what I'm talking about! You've seen those parents too!


1. Your kid doesn't want to go. When I talked to certain program directors, burn out was one of the biggest signs that a kid may be overdoing it. Jackie Brenner, Director of Figure Skating at Arctic Edge in Edmond, says a parent may be pushing too hard "when your child isn't having fun and doesn't want to practice anymore." She says it's okay to seek out a professional to understand the appropriate practice amount for your child's age and level.


At Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, owner Steve Hoehner strongly recommends that parents place preschoolers in the program only one day a week. "You have to remember that a child's mind is different from a parent's mind. We think more is better. But confidence will go out the window if a kid is pushed too far, too soon."


2. You're thinking too much about the future. Olympic medals? Major league sports opportunities? College scholarships? If you've put your kid in a sport for any of the above reasons, you may need to adjust your attitude, or your child may hate the very thing you're hoping will bring  him or her success. Yolanda Thomas, Director of the Lil' Kickers program at SoccerCity, says parents should ask themselves this: "Why am I putting my kid in this?" If it's to build confidence, strength, coordination, and skills, then great. If the parent did the sport and wants to share it with  his or her child, that's also a good reason, but remember this: "Children learn while they're having fun," says Thomas.


3. Your kid is starting to deal with injuries. The problem with setting expectations too high and scheduling too much practice? Chronic injuries from overuse or accidental injures from exhaustion. The consensus from all the sports directors was that a parent who has the wrong focus will push a kid too far, and this could result in injury.


But on the other side of that are those kids who push themselves, who need you to be the one to keep them from burning out or hurting themselves, both of which will lead to the worst outcome: inactivity. And if there's any question, schedule a doctor's visit right away, says Chris Berry, Associate Executive at the Edmond YMCA. A medical professional can help you pinpoint what may be causing an injury and how to prevent it without forcing your child to give up something he or she enjoys doing.


So don't be the type of parent a reality series would love to showcase. We all know what we think of them. Be the type of parents who look out for their kids, and if those kids do make it to the top of their sport, they'll be able to say "Thanks" for all the right reasons.

Solving the energy crisis - Finding the right sport for your munchkin!

Have you ever witnessed a toddler trying to complete a forward somersault? Or a cartwheel? Have you ever watched a herd of little people chase a soccer ball, or seen a kid smack a plastic bat into a baseball tee?


Oh yeah, it's pretty funny.


These days we have the opportunity to see kids try their hands at sports earlier than ever, with many programs opening up to children as early as 18 months of age. For a parent who's still trying to get rid of bottles, pacifiers, and the high chair, the thought of starting a child in sports may be the last thing on your mind. However, with winter keeping those hyper kids cooped up, you may have also decided it's time for an energy outlet.


In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, and our society's crazy obsession with all things "athlete," I decided to lean on some local experts to discover which sports are suitable for the youngest of children, and why a parent might be persuaded to pay the cost of getting junior in a program that  just organizes activities a kid does already. What I found is that Edmond has a lot to offer on the small fry scale, and that parents who start their children early in sports have nothing to be ashamed of.


Gymnastics. If your looking for a strong foundation of flexibility, coordination, and strength, gymnastics is a great start. Enter Edmond's Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, owned by Steve Hoehner. Their toddler gym looks so fun, I'd like to play in it. "We help kids learn the fundamentals without them knowing it," said Hoehner, who added that sports programs for kids 5 and under should focus on having fun while learning. He said he designed a curriculum at Oklahoma Gold for kids 18 months to 5 years of age that emphasizes developing motor skills while having a great time.


Ice Skating. Another sport that develops flexibility and coordination, as well as muscles that support bilateral motion, is ice skating (popular now for obvious reasons--you know, the Olympics and all!). Although kids generally start this a little later (ages 3 to 4), Jackie Brenner, Director of Figure Skating at Arctic Edge in Edmond, says that the earlier kids start, the more comfortable they are and the easier it is, as their center of gravity is lower. She also emphasized that programs for young ages should build foundations while a child is having fun (by the way, I heard that word--fun--a lot).


Soccer. Another sport that emphasizes early coordination is soccer. In addition, the sport also concentrates on learning teamwork, which helps with social skills, says Yolanda Thomas, Lil Kickers Program Director at SoccerCity, an indoor facility in northwest Oklahoma City. "We start children in the program as early as 18 months, and focus quite a bit on balance and coordination, all in a fun-filled environment." Thomas adds that in the parent-and-me classes (for children 18 months to 3 years), parents will not only expend energy (like their kiddos), but will also find that they get to enjoy playing with their children as well.


T-Ball/Basketball/Flag football. Finally, kids can benefit from sports such at T-ball from age 3, basketball from age 4, and flag football from age 5 at the Edmond's YMCA. These types of sports help children develop relationships with other kids as well as a healthy understanding of competition as they continue through the program. Again, it's all about letting kids have fun while they discover these sports, says Chris Berry, Associate Executive at the Edmond YMCA.


And of course, swimming. According to Infant Swimming Resource, the best way to keep children safe from drowning is training them to handle themselves in the water. Several facilities, including the YMCA and The Key Health Institute of Edmond, offer swimming lessons, and even if a child never continues with the sport, he or she will have a lifetime of confidence and safety with the knowledge of swimming. And it is an activity people can do their whole lives.


I'm sure there are more sports out there for little ones, but the programs I did find and the people I talked to who run them certainly convinced me that Edmond has plenty to offer in the way of positive early athletic programs. So don't be counting any gold medals or college scholarships yet, but do get those kiddies active.  Because that's a habit they can keep for a lifetime.