this post is from my sister who lives...well you can guess!:
If you are lucky enough to live in a temperate climate, now is the time to bundle up and spend some time in the snow and beautiful outdoors. Anything from organized sports to taking a walk or snowshoeing suffices. Just breathing the outside fresh air is so invigorating, refreshing and just plain healthy. There are many activities just outside your door; from starting up a snowball fight to building a snowman and sledding. A little more preparation is needed for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing but hey, they certainly pack a healthy punch! Ice fishing is not as vigorous, but it gets you out in the fresh air (can you tell we live in minnesota!?) The “indoor” winter sports don’t give you the fresh air opportunity, but are wonderful for staying in shape. Gymnasts and basketball players are some of the most conditioned athletes.
Organized sports like hockey and basketball are such a great opportunity for kids. Being on any sort of team sport teaches kids many life lessons. It is wonderful for kids to learn to get along in a group and work for something other than their singular person. Learning to get outside of yourself and work together on a goal makes you feel like you are a part of a community. “It takes a village to raise a child,” I love this saying. Having another adult give your child attention and instruction is of such value for them. They may get positive feed back and come home beaming or they may get negative feedback and then figure out what they need to do to overcome. They may decide that one particular sport is not for them and try another, it is definitely a learning and growing opportunity. The good with the bad, just like life.
I have three daughters, they are older. Two are in college, and one is a junior in High School. They have all been involved in sports, but interestingly, only our youngest participated in team sports. I have noticed that she has skills the other two don’t. I think she learned how to be a team player and care for the group. Being linked to a group makes you feel less isolated. Don’t you feel happier and laugh more when you are in a group?
any way you go about it, from team sports to individual...there are such valuable lessons and growth in any sport or activity...and really when you get down to it, it's all just the fun of running around and laughing!
thank you linda!
