VisionsofAmerica / Joe Sohm / Getty Images

More Wordless Wednesday

 
Gas prices are climbing. OK, you know that already. A lot people are cutting out unnecessary driving, which is probably a good thing. Some people don't seem to notice and others are completely freaked.

Count my husband in that last category.

I spend a lot of time, and therefore quite a bit of gas, driving my kids to and from activities. If my husband had his way, we'd quit attending everything we can't drive to which means we'd quit, well, everything.

I view my kids' activities as an essential part of their growth, so that's not acceptable to me. My (not so great) response: I've pretty much tried to ignore the extra money I'm spending getting my kids places. They get so much out of their participation in scouts, drama and sports.

It looks like we have one more out of state trip, too, for another gymnastics tournament. This time, I am thinking about the gas prices as I think about traveling with the team. When all is said and done, it probably won't stop me, though.

What about you? Have you had to cut back on your kids' activities to compensate for the rising gas prices?

Kids' Clubs are pretty safe places for kids. The sponsoring organizations make sure of it. But when kids play injuries can, will and do happen.

The injuries are generally minor -- scrapes and cuts, bumps and bruises. But sometimes a child can be injured more seriously, necessitating treatment, rest and recovery time.

As a parent, how you react both at the time of the injury and during the healing process can help your child deal with his injury. What do you do when your child gets injured?

China Photos / Getty Images

More Wordless Wednesday

With all the stories available about which politician, businessman, pro or celebrity tossed out the first pitch at some Little League opening day, I found this story to be, well, sweet.

Dave Schultheiss is a special needs man who is always involved in the community. He helps mow neighbors' lawns, whistles to the birds, watches the kids play ball. He's been attending every game, every season, for years. "Howyadoin' Dave" is friends with everyone, it seems.

Last year, Little League officials by-passed those thought of as community pillars to ask a community icon to throw out the first pitch. Dave was such a popular choice, he was asked back again this year.

His ceremonial pitch was, of course, a strike. Right down the middle.

Photo Disc / Getty Images

More Wordless Wednesday

Do you have a child who is totally serious, very dedicated and quite talented at her sport or activity? Have you considered what it might cost her if she chooses to dedicate herself to her chosen activity?

I just received a link to an article about a spectacular young lady who made some very mature choices to pursue her love of gymnastics. As a high school student, Ashley Postell, trained before and after school and spent a lot of time traveling. Late nights trying to catch up on homework and weekends away took it's toll on her studies. She opted to homeschool her 10th through 12th grade years so she could focus on gymnastics.

Her dedication to her sport earned her a scholarship to the University of Utah where she excels in gymnastics is currently ranked number 1 in the all-around. Her studies, however, took second place. Until recently.

"I'm trying to even it out and succeed at both at the same time," Postell says. And that she is. Her 3.83 GPA last semester put her on the Dean's List.

Sports success may lead to an Olympic medal or a professional contract. To get there, a child will have to make sacrifices. She may miss some of the social events her peers are doing. She may have to take a different approach to academics.

Is this something your child really wants to do? Can she do it without losing sight of her future? -- An Olympic medal or pro contract won't last her entire adult life.

Are you willing to guide her through what it takes to get there? She'll depend on you to help her keep her priorities straight and her life balanced so she can succeed at her chosen activity and also at her academics so she can build a solid future for herself.

Subscribe in a reader | Stumble It! | Furl It

Of all the reasons to join a kids' club, play probably ranks up there, at least for the kids. Kids, after all, like to play and play is an important part of their development.

Clubs offer many different types of play. Everything from unstructured (but supervised) free play time to very very structured and serious competitive play. Sometimes the play is active, sometimes it's relaxed. Often it is not clearly definable, but it is there. Even activities that don't look like play to adults, may very well be play to kids -- activities like music, art and drama.

No one type of play is more valuable than another. They all have something to offer. Your child may prefer recreational sports vs. competitive sports or art vs. scouts. He may choose different types of activities at different times in his childhood.

So what are the benefits of play in a club?

• New skills
• Self-confidence
• Friendships
• Fitness
• Teamwork
• Positive Attitude
• Independence
• Goal setting
• And just plain fun

Even as adults, the time we take out to play helps enhance our lives. For kids, play-time offers much, much more. Being involved with kids' clubs gives kids many opportunities to play, learn, develop and have fun

Take some time to investigate various types of kids' clubs and think about what types of club experiences you'd like for your child. If you'd like to learn more about kids' and play, check out the All About Parenting Blog Carnival: Kids and Play.

Subscribe in a reader | Stumble It! | Furl It

I just read an article in the May 6, 2008 Women's Day -- 20 Ways to Be and Even Better Mom. One of the suggestions really struck me as a mom and Guide to Kids' Clubs. It reads (in part):

Don't be a soccer mom. Kids whose parents go to every one of their games are less likely to continue with sports as young adults . . . They're often playing just to please Mom and Dad . . . Except for the major games, drop off the kids and leave.

The reason? "This teaches kids to cheer for themselves."

My kids don't play soccer, but, I guess I'm a soccer mom anyways. I've definitely been to the majority of my kids' games, performances, meets, awards ceremonies or what-not. And I've felt bad for the ones I've missed (I usually only miss one when two of my kids have events at the same time and I have to choose).

So now I'm thinking back to my childhood. My parents were there the vast majority of the time whether I was cheer leading, dancing, playing softball or skiing either my mom or dad (often both) was at the majority of my "events."

To be honest, I'm not sure if I agree with the expert in the Women's Day magazine. It just seems wrong to miss my kids' events. My husband, however, thinks I'm hovering, doting, and being generally overly-involved.

The weigh-in from my kids:

• My 8 year old son: He doesn't mind if I miss a bowling tournament but he'd rather I be there.
   
• My 10 year old daughter: She doesn't really know about me missing a gymnastics meet -- it would be OK, she guesses, as long as she could get there somehow.

What do you think? Do you attend all of your kids' events? Do you think it's important to do so? Why or why not? How about your kids -- what do they think?

On April 27^th seniors will gather for the second annual senior prom in Yreka, CA.

Oh, did I mention the senior are senior citizens?

The Siskiyou County HI-4H is sponsoring this "Blast from the Past" featuring music from the '40s, '50s and '60s. It's a free event that will give the older members of the community a chance to mingle, share, and dance.

If you think 4-H is animals, plants and county fairs, think again. These are only a part of the modern 4-H where the kids are learning to serve their community in many ways.