This is a guest post contributed by Carrie: C2 is my handle, but being the "How Does She Do It Mom" is my fulltime gig!!  I serve to inspire and urge Moms to pursue all the dreams they've been keeping in their hearts... No matter the perceived barriers or obstacles.  I've been a Youth Fitness Specialist, model, blogger, special needs advisor and photographer.... But I ain't done yet!

The proverbial 'inside' I refer to in the title is, in fact, my head.

I'm the proud Mom of 2 and see my kids through the same rose-colored eyewear that most other Moms see their kids through.  I marvel at how my 7-year-old son seems so much faster and athletically apt than most of his peers while running around a soccer field or playing at our local park.

I stand amazed and on the verge of stunned at how my recently turned 5-year-old daughter teaches herself complex skills like round-offs and cartwheels.

But then I put the Kool-Aid down and try to look objectively at my kids while wearing my other, more professional hat...

For about 8 years, I worked as a Youth Fitness Specialist and was a certified practitioner through the International Youth Conditioning Association.

My career was based on working with young athletes within a complex matrix known as Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD). Essentially, this concept confounds what most parents and even coaches believe to be true when it comes to 'training' young athletes.
It is not about working kids 'hard' or trying to improve their performance markers in speed, agility, strength or flexibility in a short period of time.  The LTAD model is based much more on acquiring skill and ability over time, much like an academic school system.

Grade 2 doesn't take 6 weeks to accomplish and you couldn't earn a Master's Degree before you went to high school.  LTAD carries a similar template and allows children to develop athletic skill over time and through ascension of gained ability.

Now, before we start getting all concerned about 'training' young kids (as young as 4 or 5) it's important to remember (or realize for the first time) some very critical factors:

- From 1965 - 2006, 14 comprehensive studies were conducted worldwide on the effect daily and regimented physical activity had on the academic performance of students.  In 11 of the 14 studies, there was conclusive data indicating that regular and well-organized physical activity enhanced academic output
 
-A landmark study from Harvard in the 1970's concluded that he human organism is endowed with several different types of 'intelligences' - and not all of them had to do with mental aptitude.  In fact, 'Physical Intelligence' was one of the key attributes listed as a natural human condition that should be enhanced

-According to the American Obesity Association, roughly 33% of U.S.-based kids are considered overweight or obese.  Although often considered otherwise, this is not restricted to an 'American Problem' as stats from the AOA reflect other developed nations worldwide

- Human growth and development science shows us that central nervous system adaptation to athletic and movement skill is at an all-time high during the early years of life.  It is critical during this plastic phase of neural development, to expose children to as much physical activity as possible in order to create a heightened degree of 'Neural Intelligence' and allow for the natural development of physicality to become part of your child's life well into their adult years

I know that's a mouth full of jargon, but the final point above is truly crucial.

We are entering an alarming time within society as our children (according to the Center for Disease Control) are the first generation in DECADES to have a lower life expectancy than we do.

Adult onset diabetes (so dubbed because historically, it was an illness that manifested in older adults as they aged, became less active and battled obesity) has recently been re-coined as 'Type II' due to the tremendous influx of children who have been diagnosed with the disease over the past 2 decades.

In fact, there are now physicians who SPECIALIZE in treating overweight and obese children.  My point is simple... If we have doctors who now specialize in treating the concern, why not have professionals exist who can actually help prevent it?

So, that's my background.  And although it may read a tad like gobbly-guck to you, it does set the stage and provide me a platform to speak on this topic with a modicum of authority.

Having said that, here's my 'Top 3 Most Important' list for any Mom out there who has a child involved in youth sports:

1.       Play Sports Seasonally

Just like you, I think my son is the second coming of Michael Jordan.  But in reality, over-exposure to a single sport (commonly called 'Sport Specific Training or Participation') can have disastrous consequences on your child in time.

Soft tissue and overuse injuries become very likely the more your child participates in single sport activities.  It is also very true that a lack of generalized exposure to a variety of sports can actually restrict the development of your child in eventually becoming a 'star' within one specific sport (I know... seems counterintuitive doesn't it?).
But again, just look at school...

No matter how much your 8-year old may love math, feel as though they want to become a mathematician one day AND have the capacity to do so, you wouldn't even consider removing every other academic subject from her daily class list in order to pursue all things math.  You would understand that doing so would result in an over-burdened child who, in time, wouldn't have the requisite generalized intelligence to practice advanced forms of mathematics the same holds true for sports.

2.       Consider "What" is FUNdamental

In the end, the only thing that matters is whether or not your child is having fun in sport.
My fiancé has worked with more than 20,000 young athletes all over the world for the past 13 years and will be the first to tell you that less than 1% of them have ever gone on to true sporting glory.

What youth sports are intended to provide is a learning ground:

- Team play
- Hard work
- Fair play
- Athletic skill
- Character
- A lifelong development and appreciation for physical activity

That last point is the crux.

Our society is no longer as fit an active as it should be.  To ensure your child values physicality throughout their life, the #1 consideration is to make sure they are enjoying being active while young.

3.       Just Drive the Car Mom...

At game's end, give 'em a hug, tell them you're proud, start up the car and head home.
That's it, that's all.

If they want to talk about the game, encourage it.  If they are being cocky winners or sullen losers, teach the merits of taking pride in your effort over the result.  But beyond that, just enjoy the ride!

I don't care if you were captain of your high school volleyball team, star of your college track team or if Mrs. Michael Jordan is reading this herself... youth sports are for your kids and not a time for you to relive the glory days of yesteryear!

Enjoy the sunshine at the soccer field.

Bundle up and sip the warm hot chocolate at the ice rink.

Take in the sights and sounds at the baseball diamond...

... And let your kid play!!