If you have kids who enjoy sports then you may want to try and get the whole family on board with it. After all, sports is a very healthy outlet and on top of this, it is a very good way for you to burn extra calories during the day. If you want to make sure that sport is integrated into your family’s lifestyle then simply take a look below.

Hold a Family Meeting

Before every sports session, hold a family meeting. You can then look at the calendar and highlight each child’s activities. Use different colors for each member and detail the current commitments. Don’t sign your child up for the next sports season without asking them if they want to keep playing. If you can make this a joint decision, it will help every member feel empowered. It’s also wise to look at each activity’s short-term and long-term benefits and the cost for your family. Don’t just detail the financial cost, instead, look at the cost of time and energy, too. Are sports so important for your family that you make time for it in your schedule? Even if it means pushing other things back? Having conversations like this is important as it lets you get everyone on the same page.

When you have everyone on the same page, you then need to set limits for your family. Find the level of sports that works for your child and take cues. Trust your intuition as well. For some, one team per season may be the best option. Some children thrive on intensely being involved. If this is the case with your child then you need to try and push them so you can meet their basic needs. Work with your children and don’t impose on them. If you can do this, and if you can provide them with a structured schedule then this will help you to find the right balance between downtime and activities.

Find a Balance

It is so important that you find the right balance between cooperation and competition. Find the balance between your instincts to nurture and teach, but don’t discount the benefits of having healthy competition. If your partner is pushing your child too hard then you need to have a conversation about this, because if you don’t then you may find that you end up struggling to keep everyone going positively. The last thing you want is for your child to get injured because they are playing too much sport. If your child plays a lot of sports then having the number for a good physical therapist, especially if it’s something like tennis elbow.

Winning and Losing

It’s vital that you give your kids a balanced attitude between winning and losing. Keep both things in perspective here. Don’t get upset or angry if your child isn’t playing well, and don’t overdo it if they win. Don’t tie special privileges or even rewards to winning either. You have to show them that your love is unconditional.

Find a Good Program

Finding a good sports program is so important. If you can, you need to look out for leagues that balance school and that put a real focus on having fun. Candidly address the issue of having sports balance with other parents and coaches at meetings. Other parents will probably be more than happy to hear you out, as they will have the same concerns. If the coaches know that your child’s happiness is the first priority over winning then this will help you and them.

Find a Balance

If possible, you also need to introduce your child to other sports that they can enjoy when not playing their primary sport. Kayaking, rowing, jogging or even rock climbing are all good options. They provide another sports outlet and they also give your child the chance to be passionate about what they are doing. Focusing heavily on one child and their athletic ventures can cause the other children to feel as though they are missing out. They may even feel resentful and over time, this can create a sibling rivalry. Each of your child’s interests should receive your attention. If you can make sure that this is the case then you will be able to give them the help they need.

Awake and Sleep Time

Parents spend a lot of time and money ensuring their child’s success, but at the same time, they forget to make sure that their child is getting enough sleep. If your child is not sleeping as much as they should be at night, with all of the physical activity they are doing then this can leave them feeling burnt out. They may also struggle to get good grades as well. The biggest challenge for you as a parent would be for you to find the balance between homework, music, sleep and sports. Don’t overdo it with your kids but at the same time, make sure that everything is getting your attention.

Quiet Time

If your child is always playing sports, nurture that but find the right balance between quiet and busy times. Gaming consoles are great for helping your kids to relax, but with that in mind, they can be quite stimulating. Have them come on a quiet walk with you and your family, or take them out to watch the stars. Going on a nature hunt is another thing you can do to try and help your kids decompress, so try and make sure that you keep that in mind. Having some one-on-one time is also very important to keep children from feeling overwhelmed and so they have someone to talk to. Giving your child support is important, be sure to explore the idea of giving them a good support network outside of sports.