| How many hours are wasted in front of the | | | | search on the Internet. For more athletic kids, |
| television by kids who are bored during the | | | | there are sports camps across the country that |
| summer months when school is out of session? | | | | help participants hone their skills in anything from |
| Parents often find it difficult to get their couch | | | | tennis to basketball to gymnastics. |
| potato kids out of the house during the hot | | | | But what if my child doesn't like sports? |
| summer months. Their kids' aspirations of earning | | | | Obviously all sports aren't for all people. Someone |
| spending money by mowing lawns or doing other | | | | who isn't much interested in getting hit by a |
| summertime work quickly too often deteriorates | | | | baseball might be glad to try a sport where the |
| into a migration to the couch for three months of | | | | ball isn't moving toward him so quickly, like soccer, |
| watching movies and playing video games. I'm | | | | volleyball, or basketball. Truthfully, it's hard for me |
| sure you've seen this situation, and if you're like | | | | to imagine a young person who can't find some |
| me, it can be frustrating to see perfectly capable | | | | kind of sport that motivates him or her to want |
| children rot in front of the television. A great | | | | to improve physically. If your efforts to motivate |
| remedy for couch potato kids is to get them | | | | your child to play one sport or another are being |
| involved in sports. | | | | met with some resistance, encourage him to find |
| Unless you live in the far reaches of the | | | | one that interests him the most, and help him go |
| wilderness, there are normally plenty of | | | | after it. You may have to think outside the box a |
| opportunities to get your children involved in one | | | | bit, and possibly look at sports that aren't as |
| sport or another during the summer. While I was | | | | mainstream, such as rock climbing or golf. |
| growing up in Florida, there was always a baseball, | | | | An important consideration here is that habits |
| basketball, or soccer league around with coaches | | | | developed in kids have a tendency to stick around |
| and teammates eager to have another participant | | | | in the future. If you can encourage your kids to |
| them. My involvement in those teams provides | | | | get involved in healthy sports and recreational |
| some of my greatest memories as a kid. | | | | activities now, especially during the summer when |
| If you are unsure of how to find a summertime | | | | their time isn't consumed with school and other |
| sport for your kids, I'd suggest first checking with | | | | activities, you may be helping them in the future |
| your town or city Parks and Recreation | | | | to avoid the health problems that come with |
| department. If you have a more competitive child, | | | | sedentary lifestyles. Participation in sports is also a |
| you can usually find a league that fits his or her | | | | great way for young people to develop |
| situation. You may have to ask around among | | | | self-confidence, and it contributes to a more |
| your child's friends' parents, or you can do a | | | | developed personality and increased social skills. |