Parents – when it comes to kids and sports, it seems like it takes superhero talent just to get everyone to the field on time! Summers can be really brutal on your time and responsibilities.
Much is made of the role of parents on the bleachers. Your kids are there to learn how to excel at their sport. Parents are expected to tow the line when it comes to sportsmanship. Rather than focusing on who’s doing what to whom out on the field, here’s a helpful suggestion for moms and dads:
Focus on observing your child in action. Watch the ways that your son or daughter grow, strengthen, overcome and achieve as they participate in their chosen sport. After all, it’s not really about winning or losing, right? You want your child to benefit from participating in sports and that’s not just about whether they get a trophy at the end of the season.
Sports can be an exceptional means of furthering your child’s development, physically and mentally. They learn how to compete which can be a really healthy exercise. They also learn how to score, as well as all the ways to practice and train and reach for that goal.
You can create a “measurement” system for your children as they begin a new team or competitive sport. How much do they grow? How much more defined do their muscles become? How much strength do they gain? How much further, each time, can they go? How much taller do they stand? What new friends have they made? How much better do they feel about themselves?
If your son or daughter is getting ready to participate in soccer, hockey, football, tennis, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, track, softball or basketball, sit down with them and look up the kinds of injuries that someone in that sport might experience. Learn how to prevent those types of injuries. It will benefit your kid in life as well as the ball field!
Here are some key tips for your children, before they start practicing or playing:
Rest: Each person requires a different amount of sleep each night. Make sure that you have a set schedule for your child, to make sure they are getting adequate rest.
Good nutrition: Food is fuel! Your child’s diet should be based upon fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish and healthy whole grains. For strong bones, they also need calcium (through dairy or dark leafy greens like kale and spinach)
Hydration: Children need 5-8 cups of water each day (depending on age). If a child is well hydrated, they’re less prone to over-exertion or heat stroke.
Stretching: You knew we were gonna say that! It’s critical that your child get several minutes of stretching prior to practice or a game.
If you’re noticing anything, while observing your child participating in sports, that causes you concern, don’t hesitate to bring them in to Rushmore Family Chiropractic.
We’re not just chiropractors. We’re parents, too.
