Do the children in your life have time to discover their desire? I recently read another article about the importance of free play and how little time kids have to explore their interests. Time away from structured activities allows kids to learn about themselves and what they enjoy. Revisit this important topic, originally published in February 2021, while I take a personal timeout.

It may sound impossible to change our youth sports culture. But what will happen if we don’t?

We know more than ever about the importance of unstructured play for children, yet they seem to be getting less of it than ever before. How can you make time for your kids to play?

We all know the goal of sport is to win. But that doesn’t mean all is lost when we lose a game. What really matters is the reasons for playing in the first place and the benefits gained that last a lifetime.

When we stray so far from where we started that we don’t remember what we set out to do, it’s time to go back to basics.

Minnesota is one of ten states where high school athletic programs are refocusing on the educational value of sports. The programs start by acknowledging there is a difference between why we do something and what we hope to achieve by doing it.

Many kids and their parents dream of playing for a popular college team. But what are the chances, really?

Many parents have been led to believe that specialization is the key to their child’s athletic success. But it’s more likely that specialization will lead to burnout or injury. A recent study showed that most Division I athletes did not specialize, even in high school.

Whose desire drives your children’s activities—yours or theirs? Letting kids discover their desire and choose their own activities provides benefits now and in their future.

There are many reasons kids drop out of sports. Sometimes I wonder if we are missing the obvious.