Kids Running - Interview Jordan Metzl

We sign our young kids up for track teams. We send them to practice, suit them up for the games, and almost swoon when we see their beautiful trophies. Are we doing the right thing? Usually, yes, but we need to keep our actions and motivations in check, just to make sure that we are encouraging our kids to have a lifetime of health, fitness, and fun.

Here is part 3 of KR's Checklist Series. This one is guest authored by Dr. Jordan Metzl and designed to help ensure that your children stay happy and healthy while they become skilled athletes and participate in organized sports.

WARNING SIGNS OF UNHEALTHY SPORTS PARTICIPATION

1. My child isn't having fun running or playing sports anymore. _____

2. Running is dominating my life and my child's life. _____

3. Our only topic of conversation at the dinner table is my child's sports. _____

4. I define the way I reward my children by how they perform in sports. _____

5. My child's missed 10% of the season due to injury and I haven't taken him/her to the doctor. _____

6. The only important thing to my child, or to me, is winning. _____

7. My daughter is 16 years of age and she hasn't had her period yet._____

8. My child is dieting only to become a faster runner. _____

9. My kids are embarrassed by my sportmanship at their competitions and/or I am embarrassed by theirs. _____

10. My young child won't try any other sports besides running. _____

Score and rating: You decide! If you didn't get a low score, fill out this rating scale in a couple of months and see if your score goes down.

Dr. Metzl is an avid athlete who loves encouraging athletes of any age to participate in a variety of sports but he reminds us that THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS 'HEALTHY' SPORTS. Dr. Metzl's book, The Young Athlete will provide you with the knowledge needed to be better able to guide your children as they enter into sports. It will help you recognize issues, show you how to talk to your kids, and will teach you practices that will help prevent common sports injuries.

This book is a must for any sports parent. It's a book you will quickly read from cover-to-cover and will often return to as a resource for needed information.

carolgoodrow@verizon.net.
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