I am Proud to be a Sports MOM! - Parenting, SportsMom Style
Written: Nov 04 '02 (Updated Nov 07 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent Information in a Fun to Read Format
Cons: Limited Information Specific to Softball
The Bottom Line: I recommend Parenting, SportsMom Style for moms that are new to the sports scene and feel that seasoned SportsMoms will glean beneficial information too.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Parenting, Sports Mom Style: Real-Life Solutions f... |
I am fully aware that there are select members of society that apply a negative label to SportsMoms, demean their IQ level, poke fun at the activities they tote their children to, and take personal pleasure in attempting to belittle them based on ill-conceived notions. Well for as many ignorant souls that participate in those ludicrous measures, there are even more youth reaping the benefits of having a mom that is ‘there’ for them and ‘aware’ of their daily activity. That being stated it is with great pleasure that I openly confess, “I AM A SPORTSMOM, and I AM PROUD OF IT!” *smile, wink*
My oldest daughter has a high IQ and has always excelled in school. She successfully plays piano, danced for seven years, and three years ago became interested in softball. It was at this point that we witnessed her social skills blossom, noticed the increase of self-confidence, and saw an overall boost of disposition. She was happy prior to sports involvement, but softball clearly ‘brought her out of a shyness shell.’ In addition this became an activity that her Father assistant coached. Around this same time period pre-adolescence was setting in. Most people that are familiar with tweens realize the havoc this can cause on emotions. Yet during this phase of time she maintained closeness with her Father and I. Further, her relationship with her Father grew and they discuss many important issues.
During this span of time, our youngest became increasingly active in dance; tried out and made a competition dance troupe. Some might speculate that dance isn’t a sport, however it carries many of the same dynamics and the information in this book applies to that scene too. She also became involved in Little League and continues to enjoy it.
Time has evolved and it is clear that both our girls will continue to be actively involved in competitive sports. I knew that many attributes existed and after reading Parenting, SportsMom Style I am increasingly pleased that our daughters enjoy the sports scene. Further I have more insight toward helping the experience be positive, and allowing the entire family to glean benefit. I am thankful for this publication and recommend it to all SportsMoms!
Parenting, SportsMom Style
By: Laurel Phillips and Barbara Stahl
ISBN: 0-9659445-5-7
Within the 184 pages of Parenting, SportsMom Style there is immense information with regard to preparing for and participating in the sports scene with your child(ren). This well written book covers subjects from why youth should participate in sports, team vs. individual sports, and pertinent tidbits for allowing the experience to be beneficial. I highly recommend this book for moms that are new to the sport season, and I feel that seasoned sports moms will glean beneficial insight also. The book is simplistic to read and is laced with humorous comics.
Authors Laurel Phillips and Barbara Stahl have 23 years of combined experience as SportsMoms, including five children and seven different sports. Their initial publication - SOS! Soccer on the Sidelines: A Guide to Competitive Travel Soccer for Serious Soccer Moms, published in 1998 – was welcomed by moms and acknowledged in Sports Illustrated for Kids Sports Parents, USA Weekend, and the Los Angles Times. After the success of that book it was realized that many of the issues addressed rang true for other SportsMoms, thus setting foundation for this publication. Author Laurel Phillips has a registered nursing degree and a master’s in Health Administration. Author Barbara Stahl has a B.S. Ed. and is a marketing consultant. In addition to the books they maintain a website.
These authors refer to child involvement in sports as a “highly-effective parenting vehicle”. The details within this publication will assist you toward helping your child engage in the most beneficial sport for him/her. Also you will glean insight toward how to make the sport experience the best that it can be for your child, your family, and you. Detailed information guides you toward organizing the family schedule. You will have a better idea of what to expect, how to prepare, and how to cope.
An interesting theory is presented via the comparison of neighborhoods ago, and the sports scenes now. The authors present a thought process indicative that in society today children receive a sense of community from ‘chosen’ sports ‘neighborhoods’ instead of geographical neighborhoods. I admire the analogy presented and feel that most readers will nod their heads in agreement.
You will read about the important lessons of life that the sports scene provides for children. From how to set and accomplish personal goals, achieve skills, working with others, and teamwork. Information is provided on assisting your child toward making the best of situations such as ‘dealing with hard to get along with people’ **ugh**.
Laurel Phillips and Barbara Stahl stress the importance of realizing the two keys to SportsMom success: being there and being aware. I really enjoyed the discussion they shared about the benefits our children receive when partaking in sports and I agree with the sentiment they share that all children need to participate in a sport.
Additionally they cover important issues such as maintaining realistic expectations for athletic ability in comparison to child’s age. They caution against being an overbearing SportsMom. Also, information on nutrition, injury, and training is provided. Literally this book lives up to the statement provided on the back cover:
“Parenting, SportsMom Style is the road map for successfully navigating the everyday details of your child’s involvement in sports….”
Table of Contents
Welcome to the World of SportsMom
- What Have You Gotten Yourself Into? (and What Are You Going to Do Now That You’re Here?)
- Ask What Sports Can Do for Your Child – and What You Must Do for Your Child’s Sport
- Know Thy Sport
Preparing to Participate
- Getting Started
- Child Growth and Development
- Good Nutrition: Fueling Your Player Properly
- Training and Injuries
And Now We’re Ready to Play
- Coach and You
- What You Should Expect from Your Child (and What Your Child Should Expect from You)
- Getting Along with the Rest of the Cast of Characters
- Keeping Your Head above Water
- Keep Your Eye on the Goal
Final Recommendation
I strongly recommend Parenting, SportsMom Style and feel that Laurel Phillips and Barbara Stahl have provided a remarkable road map for SportsMoms! The content is easy to understand and beneficial to all moms. The comics that are laced throughout the book provide a nice chuckle and are fun to share.
Allow me to share slightly more with regard to what this book spoke to me. Confirmation that we were providing what our children needed, confirmation that sports were providing valuable life lessons for our children, and that it was appropriate that we weren’t rushing to ‘fix’ things for them! I want our children to know that they are expected to work for what they desire and that life has disappointing moments. The sports scenes allow careful conditioning for life happenstance. Case in point: my oldest daughter tried out and made the All-Star Softball team when she was 10, tried out and made the Majors FastPitch Team when she was 11, and tried out and didn’t make the All-Star team when she was 11. I had explained important practice technique that she needed to engage in for specific areas of improvement. She is fully aware of goal setting. However there were some key elements she failed to work on during the season following up to 11/12 All-Star tryouts. In all honesty I am not sure that she would have been selected for the time even with the added practice and there was no way I would tell her, “I told you so.” But my response to her was comfort for the disappointment and encouragement to persevere. The fact of the matter is that there will be worthy candidates that are ‘better than you’ at times, and we all must learn coping skills. She next set her goal on making the varsity Fastpitch Softball team at her school. When I suggested practice elements she listened and applied them. She tried out and made the team, this try-out session was two-weeks long and strenuous. During the summer she had conditioned. School ball season is now complete; yet understanding the goals she has set for spring ball she continues to condition.
Authors Laurel Phillips and Barbara Stahl talk about the ‘lessons of life’ that are available via sports: "getting along with others, learning that your actions have consequences, self-discipline, perseverance, resilience, commitment, dealing with authority, respecting others, compromise, the value of hard work, personal responsibility, follow-through, if you don’t make mistakes – you don’t learn, time management, establishing priorities, compromise, knowing when to stay vs. when to quit, accepting consequences, learning to live with your abilities, and goal setting."
For more information please visit:
http://www.sportsmom.com/
© 2002 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
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Rest in Peace Barbara, you are missed.....
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