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July/August 2007

Positive parenting power and sports by Tamika Catchings
When we encourage our girls to pursue sports, the fun and companionship we see on the p laying field is just a part of the benefits they’ll receive. As Tamika Catchings, five-time WNBA All Star explains, growing up in a sports-supportive family also provided her an avenue to closer family bonding and a welcome forum to develop critical skills that have served her well past girlhood.

March/April 2007

Finding a balance in girls’ sports by Kristal Leebrick
Participation in sports brings many, many benefits to girls, but increasingly, sports has become an all-or-nothing scenario. Competitive “select” teams demand extensive time for practice and travel, which can leave a girl with little down time and family time. Learn about ways to keep girls active and sporty while keeping the rest of her life in balance.

January/February 2006

When a girl should quit
When a girl starts an activity—say, basketball, dance, piano—and then wants to quit, we parents often urge her to stick with it. But this mom believes we should reconsider. Giving girls a pass can relieve stress and make room for more genuine choices.

November/December 2004

Is This Coach Right For Her? by Lori Shaw-Cohen
Parents should evaluate a daughter’s coach before she joins a team. Learn the right questions to ask to make sure she’ll be understood and respected.

May/June 2004

How Much Athletics Is Too Much?
Girls can get burned out and even injured by prematurely concentrating too intensively on one sport.

March/April 2004

Mariah Burton Nelson on Sports
Former women's professional basketball player and prolific author Mariah Burton Nelson discusses why girls should be involved in sports, how parents can encourage that involvement, and how to deal with sexism and the sexualization of female athletes.

November/December 2003

Be A Good Sport, Mom and Dad
A longtime girls' basketball coach weighs in on how parents can support girls in sports.