ML Interest Tag: lacrosse

Why Are So Many Kids Quitting Sports By Age 11?

by Erica Loop

The cost might have a lot to do with when kids quit sports

A national survey from the Aspen Institute with the Utah State University Families in Sports Lab found that the average kid quits playing sports by age 11. For most kiddos, that’s only three years of athletic activity before “retirement.” Between the focus on competition (over fun) and the high participation cost, children are spending less time in organized athletics.

The Aspen Institute’s survey found that children report experiencing a high level of enjoyment from sports. But even though they’re reportedly having fun, kids also experience moderate levels of stress. According to the parent’s reports (in the survey), the most stress-inducing sports are hockey and lacrosse. Children had the least stress when participating in skiing/snowboarding, track, and field, soccer, and skateboarding.

Then there’s the money factor. When it comes down to finances, hockey is the most expensive—with parents spending an average of $2,583 per year. The least expensive sport was track and field, with a price tag of $191. Of all expenses, the parents reported travel as the biggest cost.

Related: The Only 2 Things to Say to Your Kid after a Game

Dr. Travis Dorsch, Utah State associate professor and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, said in a press statement, “We need to figure out why they discontinue, not just that they do. For kids, two years in a sport may seem like forever, while we as adults think they should continue for much longer. We need to frame it through the interpretive lens of adolescence,” Dorsch added.

So what can you do if your child decides to retire from their sporting career early? First, respect their decision and don’t push something your kid doesn’t seem that interested in. You can also visit the Aspen Institute Project Play site here to find resources and other information on children, sports, and the power of play!

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Making Motherhood & My Dream Career a Reality

By Michelle Major

Michelle Major

photo via Michelle Major

Once upon a time, there was a girl who dreamed of living near the mountains. Spoiler alert: That girl was me, and although I spent the first twenty-one years of my life in Ohio, mountains always called to me. After graduating college, I pointed my car west, found a job on a dude ranch in southern Colorado and set about making my dreams come true.

I didn’t expect those dreams to include becoming a romance author—at that point in my life I couldn’t even see far enough ahead in my future to believe I might be lucky enough to have kids and a family of my own. Then I met my future husband on a blind date, another Ohio transplant. I wasn’t exactly a spring chicken (at least that’s what my mother-in-law told me) so shortly after the wedding, I got pregnant. At the same time I discovered the romance genre and was immediately hooked on the stories of hope and heart (along with all those hot heroes). I figured that becoming an author would be the perfect career for a mom. My sweet babies would sleep through the night and nap on a schedule and give me plenty of time to perfect my craft.

For several years, I was lucky to have time to brush my teeth. Writing was done in fits and spurts during early morning sessions before the kids woke up. This doesn’t include the summer my son woke every day before five a.m. and we resorted to nailing black garbage bags to the outside of his windows every night just to grab an extra few morning minutes.

But here’s the thing—the more I struggled with rejections from editors and agents plus skin-shredding critiques from a pile of contest entries—the more committed I became to making my dream of being a published author a reality. Finally, when my younger daughter started kindergarten, I gave myself an ultimatum: get a book contract or go out and find another job. I’ve always worked. I like working. Being a mom was the hardest job I’ve ever had, but I wanted something for myself. Writing is it for me. And during winter break her kindergarten year, I received the amazing call from an agent who wanted to represent me. Shortly after, she sold my first book to Harlequin.

From there, life became a balancing act. The great thing about being an author is the flexibility to work when you want and where you want. The other thing about being an author is that it’s often a more than full time job. Books to write, to edit, social media, promotions, research, reader events—all the things. All the things I love but what I love even more is being available when my kids need me. That has been the great gift of writing and the reason I’m so committed to getting up at five every morning and carrying my laptop with me everywhere I go. I can’t count the number of words I’ve written at swim meets, in carpool lines, lacrosse games, volleyball tournaments (I’m currently sitting in the high school parking lot waiting for practice to end). I make it work, but there have been sacrifices. Hello, cute wardrobe for the social life I used to have, I’m looking at you.

My son leaves for college this fall, and one of the gifts of this wild year has been being home with him. Yes, I’m home tapping furiously while he and my daughter are in class. And sometimes it’s not easy to write a hot love session when the sounds of a group of kids wreaking havoc in the kitchen is my background music, but writing has given me the best of both worlds. Plus my kids have seen me do something for myself—they’ve watched the high points and the low points but they know their mom works hard for happiness. So to any other moms or dads out there who have a dream but worry about how it will affect your kids, I’m here to tell you that you can make it work. You can have your dream and you can be a parent and both you and your kids will be better for it. Even if it takes years to get there. And if you need someone to believe in you, I’m that person. Just know that I’m here to believe in you until you can believe in yourself.

Michelle Major is the USA Today bestselling author of over forty sexy and sweet contemporary romances. She loves second-chances love stories, smart heroines and strong heroes. A Midwesterner at heart, she’s made the Rocky Mountains her home for nearly half her life and is thrilled to share her books with readers.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Why You Shouldn’t Always Let Your Child Pick the Activity

By GoBambino Kids Activities

It may be harder to see the changes in your child’s skill sets during the school-aged years than it is during the early years, but there is still a lot of development happening!  Your child is getting stronger which leads to improvements in speed and strength during gross motor skills such as running and climbing.  Your child’s advancement in fine motor skills allows her to participate in more complicated art activities that involve painting, cutting, and sculpting.  Her cognitive skills provide more opportunities for activities with complicated rules, such as cooperative games and computer activities.  And her social skills are becoming more and more important as her friends become a growing part of her life.

As your child has gotten older, she likely has more formed opinions on what types of classes and activities she wants to participate in.  Following her interests is a great idea – you want her to enjoy her activities!  However, there are other things to take into consideration when booking classes.  Kids tend to enjoy doing things that they are good at, but it is also important to provide them with opportunities to practice the skills that they have difficulty with.  Having a better understanding of your child’s development during this period, and which classes address those areas of development will help you make a more educated decision about which activities are best for your child.

Gross Motor Skills
Even though it may seem like your school-aged child’s gross motor skills are fully matured, they continue to develop during this age period.  However, the most important part of gross motor development during this period is endurance.  As your child spends most of the day in school, giving them the opportunity to move their body is very important.  Any class that involves movement is a good choice for a child in this age group, such as martial arts, swimming, or dance.

Fine Motor Skills
Now that your child is in school her fine motor skills largely revolve around writing, typing, and art projects.  Classes that involve higher level art, such as learning new drawing techniques or sculpting, will provide your child with enough of a challenge to build her fine motor skills.

Cognitive Skills
Your child’s academic advancements will likely be quite obvious during this time period, but there is also a lot of underlying cognitive development happening.  Classes that involve hands-on experiments with trial and error, such as science or cooking, will allow them opportunities to improve their knowledge and understanding of how the world around them works, while also working on problem-solving, following a sequence, and mathematical understanding.

Social Skills
The best classes for social skills at this age group are ones that involve teamwork, such as team sports like lacrosse, soccer, basketball or competitions.  This will allow your child the opportunity to learn to work together by each doing something different to reach a common goal.  Your child will learn how to communicate effectively and work through conflicts.

Taking your school-aged child’s interests into consideration when picking a class is definitely a good idea, but you should also try to ensure that they are getting an opportunity to develop all of their skill sets!

This post originally appeared on Bambinoculars.
GoBambino Kids Activities
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

GoBambino helps parents discover and book kids' activities, lessons, classes, camps and workshops. Stress-free and commitment-free. We built GoBambino to simplify (ever-so-slightly) the chaotic lives of today’s moms and dads.  

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

13 Cars With Rear Seat Reminders So You Don’t Forget Your Kid This Summer

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Summertime has arrived and along with the heat comes the very real risk of kids being left in cars. Thankfully more car makers are building vehicles equipped with back seat alerts so that no family members get forgotten.

While rear seat reminders are a new technology, they are quickly becoming an important feature among car companies and many experts believe they might even become mandatory. With dozens of reported fatalities every summer, and heat-stroke one of the leading causes of death in kids, it’s not surprising that these new features are quickly becoming a staple addition to cars.

GMC is leading the pack when it comes to car makers that offer rear seat reminders. The feature has been included as standard in several different models the company sells since 2017. Rear seat reminder is included in the Terrain, Acadia and Yukon, as well as two trucks, the Canyon and Sierra. It is also standard in the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac Escalade, as well as the Chevrolet Equinox, Colorado, Suburban, Tahoe and Malibu, among others. Nissan has joined GMC in offering rear seat reminders on the Pathfinder and has plans to include the feature in other models.

The reminders work by monitoring the rear doors. When the doors have been opened and the car is turned off within the same drive, notifications will alert drivers with a sound and a panel display reminding them to check the back seat.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

RELATED STORIES:

Get a Free Car Seat with This Car Rental Company’s Awesome Offer for Families

Never Put These Things in Your Kid’s Car Seat, Mom’s Viral Post Warns

Are Rear-Facing Car Seats Really That Safe for Babies in Rear-End Car Accidents?

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Have a Ball With WhirlyBall

by Helen Walker Green

What do you get when you cross bumper cars with basketball and lacrosse? WhirlyBall, of course! This exciting team sport has a simple concept–maneuver a WhirlyBug around the court, catch the ball and score! The best part? No experience is needed and you don’t need to be the “sporty” type to play. If you’re ready to give this sport a whirl, we’ve got everything you need to know.

photo: Helen Walker Green

A License to Whirl
The WhirlyBug – a souped up version of the classic fairground bumper car – comes equipped with one pedal that makes it go and no brakes. But don’t worry, parents! The WhirlyBug can be stopped by removing your foot from the pedal and the steering crank allows little drivers to turn on a dime in any direction, at any time. Got that? Now try driving the WhirlyBug while passing the ball to your teammates and avoiding your opponents at the same time!

photo: Helen Walker Green

WhiryFact: Did you know bumper cars are called “dodgems” in some parts of the world? The name comes from bumper cars made by the Dodgem company of Massachusetts. They were first made in 1919 and were a big hit because they were fast and, of course, you had to dodge ’em!

Go Team!
Once you and your crew have the basics of the WhirlyBug down, you’ll split off into red and yellow teams. Psst! There are up to ten WhirlyBugs on the court at a time – five of each color. And you don’t have to have a group of ten to play, but it does help to have an even number or just be evenly matched (maybe two kids equal one grownup or vice versa – you may find the kids are better players). Hint: make sure you know the number on your WhirlyBug in case the referee needs to get your attention during the game.

photo: Helen Walker Green

Whirly Rules
WhirlyBall is played with a softball-sized whiffle ball. Each player gets a scoop which he or she will use to scoop up the ball, catch it, pass to other players and try to score. The object of the game is to shoot the ball through the target at opposite ends of the court – a buzzer will sound when it goes in and your team will score a “whirlic” (two points!). Psst! You can keep track of your team’s progress on the electronic scoreboard.

photo: Helen Walker Green

And They’re Off!
The whistle blows and it’s pedals to the metal as each team tries to propel the ball down the court and score before their opponents can intercept. “It’s not easy,” says one Red Tricycle kid reviewer, “but it’s really fun!” Much hilarity ensues as players attempt to find the ball, get the ball, pass the ball – all while keeping control of their WhirlyBug and trying not to bump into one other. And yes, you will whirl at quite a dizzying pace!

photo: Helen Walker Green

WhiryFact: The Edmonds WhirlyBall team is known for doing well in national and international competitions. They’re the team to beat!

Newton’s third law of motion is often on display on the WhirlyBall court. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction – especially true when two WhirlyBugs collide at full speed! There will be occasional bumps and bangs, but that all adds to the fun. Psst… try to avoid a pileup and don’t bump your opponents too much otherwise the ref may give you a penalty!

photos: Helen Walker Green

Whirly History
In the 1960’s Kim Mangum was driving a golf-cart in his dad’s Salt Lake City auto shop when he grabbed a stick and started to play hockey with a tin can. Dad Stan saw the fun his son was having and thought this sport might just have a future. Instead of a golf cart, Stan Mangum set to work designing a speedy bumper car that could run without the sparking overhead power grid. The WhirlyBug was invented and Kim Mangum came up with the rules of “the world’s only totally mechanized team sport.”

photo: Helen Walker Green

Off the Court
There’s lots to do before and after your WhirlyBall game. Practice your scooping and throwing skills on a velcro wall or play air hockey, foosball or arcade games. Snack bar faire includes buffalo bites, paninis, pizza by the slice, fresh veggie trays and assorted fruit trays. The facility also serves non-alcoholic drinks as well as a large selection of bottled beer, cider and wine. Plans are currently in the works to move towards a healthier food selection and the owners welcome your suggestions.

photo: Helen Walker Green

Whirly Party
If you’re looking for a super-fun birthday party venue, consider WhirlyBall. It’s also perfect for classes, clubs and sports team get-togethers. And rumor has it, Bill Gates once had a birthday party here! Party packages include pizza, drinks and a personalized cake (or you can bring your own). Plus, you’ll get a video of your experience!

photo: Helen Walker Green

WhirlyBall of Washington
23401 Hwy. 99
Edmonds, Wa 98026
425-672-3332
Online: whirlyballseattle.com

Hours: Mon.-Sat., noon-midnight; Sun., noon-11 p.m. If you want to book your game outside these times, contact WhirlyBall.

Cost: $241.95 for 1 hour of court time; $340.95 for 1.5 hours of court time. Prices based on 10 people.

Good to Know: Parties include time on the WhirlyBall court for 10 guests plus pizza, non-alcoholic drinks and a personalized cake. $287.95 for a 1 hour game plus party; $386.95 for a 1.5 hour game plus party.

Ages: 8 and up

Have you and your kids tried WhirlyBall? Planning to give it a whirl soon? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below!

— Helen Walker Green

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The Insider’s Guide To San Diego Lacrosse

by Ginger Anderson

If your little one has taken to tossing his baseball across the yard with a broomstick, it may be time to think about lacrosse lessons. The sport that was traditionally known as an “East Coast thing” has become quite popular among San Diego kids. And with good reason: it’s action-packed and filled with lessons in good sportsmanship. Here’s what you need to know to get your kiddo playing on the field.

Photo credit: Mike Morris via Flickr

The Basics
If you’re not familiar with lacrosse, it’s almost like a mix of field hockey and soccer. It’s quick, exciting and a great team sport. The goal of the game is to score by shooting the ball (approximately the size of a tennis ball) into an opponent’s goal, using the lacrosse stick to pass, catch and carry the ball.

There are a few differences between boys and girls lacrosse; the biggest being contact. In girls lacrosse, no intentional contact is allowed to the head or body. For boys, stick-to-body contact is an integral part of the game. Additionally, the girls play on a larger field and with twelve people while boys play with ten.

Check Out A League In Your Community
Lacrosse used to be a hard-to-find sport to join. But now there are youth lacrosse clubs in almost every part of San Diego. The sport tends to run during the spring season, so check out one of the leagues offered at these communities throughout San Diego:

If your kiddo is interested in playing, drop the team an email and ask about trying out out a practice. Many clubs let future players try out the sport before signing up.

Photo credit: Keith Anderson via Flickr

The Cost
Registration for one season can range from $300-$400, plus $25 for each player’s required annual U.S. Lacrosse membership. The first year your kiddo plays, the cost of gear may be hard to swallow (especially for the boys), but luckily it can be used for multiple years/seasons. Be sure to try used sports stores, like Play It Again Sports, or ask around your community.

Gear for boys and girls differs slightly. Boys are required to provide their own lacrosse stick, helmet, gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, cleats, protective cup and mouthpiece. Girls wear a little less gear than the boys, since their game is less contact. Instead of a helmet and pads, they are required to wear goggles to protect the eyes, and will also need a stick, cleats and mouthguard.

Has your sports’ enthusiast expressed interest in playing lacrosse? Where do they like to play?

— Ginger Anderson

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement