Why We Shouldn't Force Our Kids Into Sports
Samantha Kemp-Jackson
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Posted 04.06.2013
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Canada Living
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Competition,
Childrens-Activities,
Expectations,
Competitiveness,
Athletes,
Kids,
Sporting Events,
Extra-Curricular Activities,
Childhood,
Sport,
Athletics,
Forcing Kids Into Sports,
Kids and Sports,
Little League,
Making Kids Do Sports,
Canada Living News
The message that we're sending to our children is loud and clear: we want you to excel at sports, so you'd better do it. We want to see you become an athletic star, regardless of your interest (and often skill level). Until we let go of our collective dreams of athletic super-stardom, of touchdowns and home runs, we will continue to negatively affect our children's psyches.
As an Olympian, I can tell you that nothing quite prepares you for what it is like to compete at the Olympic Games. Perhaps that is why far and few athletes medal at their very first Olympic Games. When it comes to the Olympic Games, be prepared to observe three types of medalists. The first medalist is your favoured athlete, the second your veteran, and the third -- wildcard!
Meet Synchro Canada's senior national team members who are training for the 2012 Olympic Games. I recently caught up with these young women at the Etobicoke Olympium Pool. Check out what they have to say about how they push past fear, their keys to success, their dreams, hopes and the upcoming Olympic Games in this Shannon Skinner Special Report, which is part of an ongoing series of on-location interviews.
