My kids are at an age where the after school sports schedule has reduced me to a drop off and pick up coordinator. I have snacks in the car so they can fuel up on our way to practices. Many days the only way dinner gets done is if it was put in the slow […]

The benefits to children participating in youth sports are countless and sports can provide parents an excellent opportunity to connect with their kids. But when moms and dads cross the line from being encouraging and supportive, to over involved and obsessed, they could be doing more harm than good. Becoming too caught up and pushing […]

Over the years my heart has dropped more than once when a professional athlete has applauded their mother for never missing ONE of their games.  It would make me panic picturing my son all alone on the bench, wallowing in sorrow because his working mom was so busy interviewing someone else’s kid that she couldn’t […]

I have a color-coded calendar to keep up with my kids’ sports schedules. Green indicates my son’s Little League practices on Wednesday and games on Friday and Saturday. The yellow postings remind me my 11-year-old practices basketball on Thursday and has a game on Saturday. Purple is for my 9-year-old, who also plays basketball and […]

I’ve been known to peel into the parking lot twenty minutes late. I once introduced myself to a parent at our school open house only to realize that it was the same person who had been coaching my kid’s soccer team for 3 months. One time, I let my competitive juices get so out of […]

When Notre Dame opens the season against Rice today in South Bend I won’t be on the sidelines. Instead, for the first time in seven years, I’ll be watching the Irish from my couch.  For old time’s sake, I might prop up the life size souvenir photo (above) that Brian Kelly so kindly sent to […]

My parents make one of the best margaritas in America at their Southern Arizona restaurant, The Steak Out. http://www.azsteakout.com  It’s slushy and just sweet enough, served in a wide rimmed glass that drips with salt. Back in the day, during the sweltering Arizona summer, it was what I looked forward to at the end my […]

Jim Harbaugh didn’t hide his disappointment Tuesday that tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone no showed on the first of the 49ers three-day mini camp.  Harbaugh, told reporters he wasn’t beating around the bush, “It’s not the decision that I envision being the 49er way”. Enough said. The Head Coach didn’t need […]