A youth hockey mom ran onto the ice and yelled at the refs for not stopping several fights (which had gone on for an excessive amount of time) last weekend. This episode occurred during a tournament game, so the players were likely appalled by the mom's actions.
You can view the video clip on Inside Edition here.
If I ran out on the ice, my boys would have been mortified. But...I have to admit that given the right circumstances, I would have done the same thing as the mom in the video. I will cross the humiliation line when it comes to protecting my children.
I will do whatever is necessary to keep my children safe. I will speak up and stop a parent from beating his child at a store. I will confront a teacher if I hear her berating a child in a classroom. I will immediately stop a child molester from touching a child inappropriately.
Is running onto the ice to stop a hockey fight any different from these scenarios? In my opinion, no. It is protecting children. Point blank.
Truth be told, I have stopped a parent from beating his child in a Target store. I have reprimanded a coach for inappropriate coaching during a game (I have only done this one time in 17 years, btw). I have even stood between an irate parent and a coach during a heated discussion in order to stop potential punches.
My children have all been embarrassed by my actions at one time or another. However, my actions are no different than enforcing bedtimes. There are just some things that are mandatory.
I beg you...protect your children.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Good and Bad Sportsmanship
Inside Edition featured a couple of videos which displayed good and bad sportsmanship. Check it out at: GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP WINS OUT.
I find it amazing that some people get caught up in excitement in extreme ways. The young girl in the first video was about to place first in a huge race, yet she stopped to help an ailing competitor. The older girl in the second video pulled a pair of cleats right out of a young child's hands.
I think that older girl (more specifically 45 years old I believe) could use some counseling. She should certainly have the ability to control herself and not go gaga over a star football player.
In my opinion, sportsmanship comes down to a combination of personality, how a child is raised, and what a child has been taught. What do you think?
I find it amazing that some people get caught up in excitement in extreme ways. The young girl in the first video was about to place first in a huge race, yet she stopped to help an ailing competitor. The older girl in the second video pulled a pair of cleats right out of a young child's hands.
I think that older girl (more specifically 45 years old I believe) could use some counseling. She should certainly have the ability to control herself and not go gaga over a star football player.
In my opinion, sportsmanship comes down to a combination of personality, how a child is raised, and what a child has been taught. What do you think?
Friday, May 18, 2012
Role Reversal...
A daughter consoled her dad after a soccer game. Ironic, yet true. Once in awhile we all need to lighten up, and the following video is a good reminder:
Monday, April 23, 2012
Concussions and the Return-to-Play Roadmap
Concussions are rampant in youth sports today, and appropriate treatment often goes by the wayside. Why? Kids want to stay in the game and often neglect to mention or downplay symptoms.
Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert in this area, so please seek professional medical attention if you suspect your child has a concussion.
Our son Cameron suffered a concussion during a hockey game a few months ago. Yes, he took a direct hit to the head. But his symptoms were minor and he stayed in the game. The coach noticed he was mentally responding a tad slower than usual so he limited his playing time.
After removing his helmet at the end of the game, Cameron said that he immediately had a headache and was nauseous.
Later in the evening, Cameron's headache symptoms progressed by the hour. In the morning, the headache persisted and he mentioned that he couldn't concentrate. Ed and I both noticed his focus seemed off.
Mistake #1: We assumed he was getting a virus and was trying to get out of going to school. Wrong. He was really in true pain with a pounding headache. At a doctor visit later in the day, the doc verified that Cameron had a concussion.
The doctor analyzed the symptoms and administered an Impact test (cognitive baseline test), comparing the results to the test Cameron had taken before the season began.
We (Ed and I) quickly learned that sending Cameron to school was a big no-no. To heal the brain, it is best to rest. That means flat out no concentrating, no focusing, no watching TV and no playing video games.
What the heck? In my day, if your head hurt, you sucked it up. Ed likely had numerous concussions (what hockey player hasn't taken a hit to the head?), yet he never took a day off. Staying out of the game and out of school seemed insane to us.
Times have changed. I can understand why. Cameron was unable to focus. I noticed this immediately upon seeing his schoolwork scores drop in one day. He couldn't answer simple questions with a normal response.
Mistake #2: We ignored minor symptoms which appeared after Cameron had been cleared by the doctor and returned to practice. Although he had minor headache after returning to physical activities, we allowed Cameron to play in a game (without a re-check by the doctor). The result was a second concussion approximately three weeks after the first.
He barely got hit in the head, yet full-blown concussion symptoms returned later that evening following the game. This time he even appeared much worse as I could see the pain in face. His eyes were half open and his face was definitely flush. He went to watch another hockey game that even and several people noticed that he didn't look well.
So I now emphasis to all parents (and to myself) follow the appropriate return-to-play guidelines. If your child returns too soon after a concussion, there is a higher risk of a second concussion. To see recommended return-to-play guidelines, go to this link.
The most important (and probably the most neglected) guideline is to return to the previous step if any concussion symptoms occur. I beg you to pay attention to this advice.
With a second concussion, Cameron remained out of physical activity for nearly a month. He still has not returned to competitive play two months later. I plan on holding him out as long as possible since the hockey season is now over.
Fortunately his symptoms have not returned. Fingers crossed that his brain heals well enough (and is strong enough) to safely return to the game in time for next season's tryouts (in late May). We will definitely have the doctor preform a re-check shortly before he returns to game play. I pray that we avoid mistake #3.
Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert in this area, so please seek professional medical attention if you suspect your child has a concussion.
Our son Cameron suffered a concussion during a hockey game a few months ago. Yes, he took a direct hit to the head. But his symptoms were minor and he stayed in the game. The coach noticed he was mentally responding a tad slower than usual so he limited his playing time.
After removing his helmet at the end of the game, Cameron said that he immediately had a headache and was nauseous.
Later in the evening, Cameron's headache symptoms progressed by the hour. In the morning, the headache persisted and he mentioned that he couldn't concentrate. Ed and I both noticed his focus seemed off.
Mistake #1: We assumed he was getting a virus and was trying to get out of going to school. Wrong. He was really in true pain with a pounding headache. At a doctor visit later in the day, the doc verified that Cameron had a concussion.
The doctor analyzed the symptoms and administered an Impact test (cognitive baseline test), comparing the results to the test Cameron had taken before the season began.
We (Ed and I) quickly learned that sending Cameron to school was a big no-no. To heal the brain, it is best to rest. That means flat out no concentrating, no focusing, no watching TV and no playing video games.
What the heck? In my day, if your head hurt, you sucked it up. Ed likely had numerous concussions (what hockey player hasn't taken a hit to the head?), yet he never took a day off. Staying out of the game and out of school seemed insane to us.
Times have changed. I can understand why. Cameron was unable to focus. I noticed this immediately upon seeing his schoolwork scores drop in one day. He couldn't answer simple questions with a normal response.
Mistake #2: We ignored minor symptoms which appeared after Cameron had been cleared by the doctor and returned to practice. Although he had minor headache after returning to physical activities, we allowed Cameron to play in a game (without a re-check by the doctor). The result was a second concussion approximately three weeks after the first.
He barely got hit in the head, yet full-blown concussion symptoms returned later that evening following the game. This time he even appeared much worse as I could see the pain in face. His eyes were half open and his face was definitely flush. He went to watch another hockey game that even and several people noticed that he didn't look well.
So I now emphasis to all parents (and to myself) follow the appropriate return-to-play guidelines. If your child returns too soon after a concussion, there is a higher risk of a second concussion. To see recommended return-to-play guidelines, go to this link.
The most important (and probably the most neglected) guideline is to return to the previous step if any concussion symptoms occur. I beg you to pay attention to this advice.
With a second concussion, Cameron remained out of physical activity for nearly a month. He still has not returned to competitive play two months later. I plan on holding him out as long as possible since the hockey season is now over.
Fortunately his symptoms have not returned. Fingers crossed that his brain heals well enough (and is strong enough) to safely return to the game in time for next season's tryouts (in late May). We will definitely have the doctor preform a re-check shortly before he returns to game play. I pray that we avoid mistake #3.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Kids and Knee Injuries
If you're not aware already...the number of knee injuries is on the increase for young athletes.
The Today Show had a segment on this topic yesterday, Feb. 28. In the first part of the story, you will hear from Dr. Theodore Ganley, director of sports medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I'm biased because I've worked directly with Dr. Ganley in the past. His insight and research are amazing.
You can view the video here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/#46554979
I have to admit that I hear of knee injury after knee injury from coaches whom I've interviewed in the past. Tearing an ACL is almost commonplace these days.
Injury prevention is key, so please, do what you can to keep your child injury-free...
The Today Show had a segment on this topic yesterday, Feb. 28. In the first part of the story, you will hear from Dr. Theodore Ganley, director of sports medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I'm biased because I've worked directly with Dr. Ganley in the past. His insight and research are amazing.
You can view the video here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/
I have to admit that I hear of knee injury after knee injury from coaches whom I've interviewed in the past. Tearing an ACL is almost commonplace these days.
Injury prevention is key, so please, do what you can to keep your child injury-free...
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