Many teens mistakenly believe they must earn their spot on the team and prove themselves worthy of the jersey by participating in hazing. What they view as a bonding activity to make the team more close-knit is often the opposite. “Instead of the intended team building, hazing creates an environment where dignity and respect are […]
Not to be slowed by rare disease, Minerva boy has the winningest attitude for sports, life
Clayton Richeson. Son. Grandson. Oldest brother of three. Multi-sport athlete. Fifth grader who loves science, Legos, and fun on a trampoline. The list could go on, but one thing that is just part of his story – not his headline – is that Clayton is an 11-year-old with a rare genetic disorder. The disorder is […]
6 tips to balance school and sports
Anyone with young athletes at home knows how quickly daily schedules fill up. To help kids balance school, sports and fun, Allyson Weldon, PhD, sports psychologist at Akron Children’s suggests teaching kids time management early so they are better at it as they grow. “Time management is a hard skill for many people to learn, […]
Encourage performance, not perfection, in sports
Signs your child is passionate about a sport can often be seen in the number of hours they spend playing, watching or talking about it. When this passion turns into an unrealistic drive to perfect their game – throwing a no hitter every game or sticking the landing at every competition – parents should help […]
How to be the parent your student-athlete needs you to be
Being the parent your student-athlete needs you to be requires self-awareness, honesty, communications skills and tough love – What, that’s all? – according to an Akron Children’s sports psychologist. Allyson Weldon, PhD, provides some common scenarios and fundamental guidance for parents. Are they having fun? Is it their dream they’re living on the field, or […]
7 ways to beat the stress of competition
Winning is exhilarating. There’s no feeling quite like it when your team’s playing well and beating the competition. Unfortunately, it’s not always fun and games. As with anything in life, losing and some amount of stress are part of almost any competitive sports program. Maybe it’s pressure from the coach or a parent expecting you […]
