LilSugar

Do You Take Your Tot to Sporting Events?

babysugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

What's porous, striped or gold all over? Mini "Cheeseheads," wee Yankees, or lil Lakers, of course. While tiny tots may not understand the sport at hand, many parents enjoy the ritual and family time spent together at big sporting events. Tailgating before the game and noshing on hot dogs in the stadium are fun for mom and pop but the youngsters usually like the cotton candy and Cracker Jacks best. The only thing that could make a win better is if baby's mug is up on the jumbotron... the sighs in the crowd will be audible. Still some like to keep the sport and spit-up separate so mom and pop can sip and scream all they want.

Tell us, what is your sport attending style?

Flickr user elijahsong

Can Motherhood Make Us Better Athletes?

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:42 -0700

Forget Couch to 5K, maybe it should be Delivery Room to Marathon. While many postpartum mamas complain of the toll their pregnancies took on their bodies, doctors claim that the experience may make them more powerful than they were before conceiving a child. Researchers from Michigan State University and John Moores University in Liverpool have found that increases in blood volume and hormones that occur during pregnancy can improve the body's muscle strength, allowing women to excel at athletic activities.

The recent successes of mother-athletes like tennis ace Kim Clijsters, swimmer Dara Torres, distance runner Paula Radcliffe and golfer Catriona Matthew have the researchers looking at the psychological side of birth and athletics. Professor Greg Whyte, from John Moores University, speculates that the birthing process increases women's pain threshold, making female athletes even stronger than before:

"Women re-evaluate where they can anchor pain and many psychologists believe that woman’s pain threshold is effectively reset so that when she resumes or takes up training again, nothing ever seems as uncomfortable."

Did you find yourself stronger after giving birth?

Parents Are Training Kids as Young as Three For Triathlons

LilSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

On your mark, get set, go! Much has been said about the importance of getting lil ones out of the house and outside to combat obesity, but are tots as young as three ready to take on a triathlon?

As the popularity of triathlons – which usually include a mix of running, biking and swimming – grows among adults, it is gaining even more interest with the younger set. Events designed especially for kids, such as the Silicon Valley Kids Triathlon allows up to 1,000 kiddos between three and 15 to participate in their event. For the small frys – children six and under – the race course includes a 25-yard swim, a one-mile bike ride and a quarter mile run. Other events, such as IronKids, based on the IronMan series of races, have the youngsters swim 50 meters, bike two miles and run 500 yards. Doctors warn that kids need to train for these races in order to avoid injuries and dehydration.

Though many of the events are untimed in an effort to reduce the competitive nature of the races, and all participants receive medals and recognition at the finish line, are such events a healthy way to get kids active?

Sports Drinks May Do Kids Good on the Field

LilSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

The combination of organized sports and hot weather can provide a dangerous on-field combination. Parents know that water is the best hydrator, but several studies show that kids don't drink enough of it when participating in athletic activities - even if it is readily available.

In one study, when both water and a sports drink such as Gatorade or Powerade were available, kids "eagerly downed 91 percent more than when offered water alone." These statistics are leading researchers to suggest providing lil ones with carbohydrate- and electrolyte-filled drinks, as long as they are on the ball field:

"When kids do intense exercise in the heat for numerous hours, I would encourage the use of sports drinks," says Douglas Casa, an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut and the lead researcher for most of the sports camp studies. "They will likely drink more of a flavor they like as compared to water, and will benefit from the carbs and electrolytes."

Once the game is over, stick to water - the high sugar content of sports drinks has been tied to childhood obesity and tooth decay. Do you quench your child's thirst with sports drinks?

Do You Parent More Like Larry King or Conan O'Brien?

babysugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:00:13 -0700

When it comes to protecting children from harsh words or unfair treatment, many parents step up to the plate. Evidence of this can often be found on the little league or soccer field where a mom or dad feels their child has been cheated. While those games tend to have "officials" monitoring the fairness of the event, some folks feel it is their duty to inject themselves into the refereeing.

Such was the case with talk show host Larry King at one of his son's baseball games. The television icon watched from the stands as an oblivious umpire missed a play and called for a "do-over." Furious that his son didn't get the out, King and the official got into a shouting match that ended with the celebrity's ejection from the field. Watch the passionate pop tell the story to Conan O'Brien. What would you have done?

Match the Celebaby With Their Sport!

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:00:15 -0700

Tinseltown's budding athletes run the bases, hit homers and guard the goal! Much like their parents, Celebabies take to the ball fields, slopes and rinks to let off steam and learn a thing or two about teamwork. See if you can match the celeb tot with their sport!

Question 1 of 10

Which lil kicker got an early start on the soccer field with a tot-sized ball in a local park?

Do Your Kids Participate in Organized Sports Like Lil Deacon?

babysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Aaaaay batter batter batter batter, swing batter! The warm weather months provide tots plenty of opportunities to engage in physical activities outdoors. While running through the sprinkler can keep babes happy for hours on end, organized sports can introduce youngsters to team effort, practice, routine and rich experiences.

Deacon Phillippe took a swing at the ball this weekend at a Little League game in Los Angeles. If acting isn't his calling, perhaps the Dodgers will show some interest.

Do your wee ones participate in organized sports?

View 5 Photos ›

Flynet

Lil Tip: Get In on March Madness

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:00:13 -0700

With only hours until the first tip-off for the 2009 NCAA Basketball Tournament, there is no better time to get your lil one out on the court for a little one-on-one. Team sports, such as basketball, enable kids to work as a group and encourage the concept of taking turns. The game also works on hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Whether you seek out an organized lesson at your local rec center or simply take your tot out to the driveway, encourage them to explore how the ball bounces and the various ways it can be thrown into the basket. Before long, your lil dribbler may be slam dunking the ball right before your eyes.

To get you started, check out some of our favorite basketball gear.

Alex Hoops in the Tub Bath Toy - $9.99	Sara's Prints Kids - Pajamas (Toddler/Little Kids/Big Kids) (A Pirate's Life) - $37.00
Franklin® Fold N' Jam Arcade Basketball - $69.99	Tadpoles Vinyl Basketball Chair & Ottoman Set - $109.99
Reebok® Basketball Tee - $16.00	Wes & willy 8-20 basketball tee - $22.00
Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics: Dunk 'n Cheer Basketball - $24.99	Franklin® Trac-Tec Breakaway Basketball Hoop - $24.99

Source

9-Year-Old Athlete Kicked Off Team For Being Too Good?

LilSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:00:45 -0700

If Michael Phelps had been pulled from the pool, would he have gone on to be the winningest Olympian? It's ridiculous to think that a child could be punished for being too good an athlete, but that's what is happening to Jericho Scott, a 9-year-old little leaguer in Connecticut who has an arm that can throw a fast one. While the pitcher tops off at 40 mph and has never beamed another child during a game, batters have a hard time hitting his pitches, and some parents were concerned when their sluggers went up to bat. As a result, the league has banned Jericho's team. Do you think this is fair?

Caged Fighting For Kids?

LilSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:00:38 -0700

Would you let your lil one go head to head in all out combat with another child?

A recent
MSNBC report on cage fighting said that the adult only sport is now catching popularity with a younger set. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is now legal for children in a few states, but advocates say as a youth sport, it teaches self discipline, is great exercise and allows youngsters to channel their angst. Critics fear that kids may be permanently injured while partaking in the violet sport.

What do you think - is MMA any different from signing your child up for lil league?