Just how obsessed with sports are we?

[Grey Colson]

Two Teens die from Heat

I think this sports stuff is getting out of hand. Is it that parents want to live their lives vicariously through their children? When a child care worker leave a child in a hot van, they are prosecuted. How about when a coach doesn't make sure his teen football players are looked after? How about parents that inisist their boys become the next Georgia Dawg linebacker? This obsession with sports should have its limits. I know when daughter Reacher was in band under the same circumstances, I told her to quit.

 

[Foxmeister]

I hear ya loud and clear. Too many parents try to relive their childhood vicariously through their children. I've seen so fathers working very hard with their sons to develop their skills in sports, but don't seem them work with them when it comes to academics. I've been to recreation and parks football and baseball games and have witnessed fathers chewing their sons out for a missed play or error. I've witnessed fathers push their kids so hard in sports that they suck the fun right out of it for their kids. Too many parents put the emphasis on sports, when it really should be on academics. Face it dad's, Junior may be the best running back in high school history, but if he doesn't have the GPA and the SAT score, it's not going to get him that football scholarship.

 

[dapandlap]

One way to look at the issue of practicing in hottest part of the summer, is that this can be blamed on the school system starting earlier.
I remember the two-a-day football practices before the start of school back when school didn't start till after labor day.

 

[Foxmeister]

I can remember starting two-a-days in the third week of August. We'd have the first practice at 7am and the second began at 4:30. We would only be in shorts, t-shirts and helmet. We'd go into pads a week before school started and the first game of the season wasn't until about the third week of September.

 

[Madea]

My son and my daughter are out there. And I hate these stories. They scare me. I constantly remind them to drink. (Trust me, I can be a bigger pain in the butt for the coach than to my children! ) )

My husband never played football. My son loves it. I was never a cheerleader. My daughter loves it.

I've sat through a lot of football and cheer practices. (NO, I don't drop my children off and leave.) And I assure you, you have never heard me yelling at my kids from the sidelines.

 

[Guard Dad]

I think they're just starting too early; it'll be cooling off before long.

Guard Daughter was in the band (color guard) while in high school, neither wifey or I were in high school (I was in middle school). It's something her friends talked her into doing and it was a wonderful experience for her. She was fortunate enough to be in two championship years at Hiram. After graduating, they brought her back to work band camps, hired her as a tech at South Paulding, and now she's in her second year as the instructor at Hiram and she assists at both South and North. She makes pretty dang good money doing this while she's in college and interning at a company in Atlanta.

 

[gog8tors]

No practice today, tee-shirts and shorts tomorrow. We got to practice yesterday, no shoulder pads/helmets. I'm sending a water bottle with DS, today. I hope he can have it in middle school.

 

[unionmom]

According to all reports I've seen the one that happened in GA (the other was a GA student but physically in FL) showed no noticeable outward signs to anyone.

It is every bit as much peer pressure as parental pressure to tough it out.

The south generally does take its sports very, very seriously starting at way too young of an age and I don't know that it will ever change. I don't get why it is so important but it is. Even at the 5-6 year old level you have parents, coaches, and kids acting like their lives depend on whether or not they win a game and it is sad.

I know a number of parents that are far more concerned with how well their child does in their sport than in the classroom.

School start date has nothing to do with it. They can absolutely work around that and the temperature. And I'm sorry to say but the fact that the school start date is even brought up as a problem goes back to the valuing sports over education issue again. I'm not saying that is the case for the poster specifically but it is the case for many of those that bring it up. I just want to scream and/or throw up every time I hear somebody complain about how the school calendar has some negative impact on their child's sports activities.

 

[gog8tors]

I think they're just starting too early; it'll be cooling off before long.

Guard Daughter was in the band (color guard) while in high school, neither wifey or I were in high school (I was in middle school). It's something her friends talked her into doing and it was a wonderful experience for her. She was fortunate enough to be in two championship years at Hiram. After graduating, they brought her back to work band camps, hired her as a tech at South Paulding, and now she's in her second year as the instructor at Hiram and she assists at both South and North. She makes pretty dang good money doing this while she's in college and interning at a company in Atlanta.

Dang she is a busy girl. When does she have time to plan her wedding?

 

[Guard Dad]

I think they're just starting too early; it'll be cooling off before long.

Guard Daughter was in the band (color guard) while in high school, neither wifey or I were in high school (I was in middle school). It's something her friends talked her into doing and it was a wonderful experience for her. She was fortunate enough to be in two championship years at Hiram. After graduating, they brought her back to work band camps, hired her as a tech at South Paulding, and now she's in her second year as the instructor at Hiram and she assists at both South and North. She makes pretty dang good money doing this while she's in college and interning at a company in Atlanta.

Dang she is a busy girl. When does she have time to plan her wedding?

She never stops.

She reminds me of her daddy. :whistle

 

[I'm Floored]

I agree that some parents can be out of control.

As far as coaches, we've never had one who valued the "game" more than the players. Granted, we have always been very selective, but you don't have to sacrifice quality in a coach.

In our home, grades ALWAYS come first. Ours know....if you don't make the grade, you don't play. Period. I can remember our oldest preparing for High School. He came home and said he was only going to take two AP/Honors classes the next year because he was playing baseball. We said, "No, you're taking ALL honors classes." He replied that his teachers had recommended the lighter load so that he could play without so much stress. We reminded him of our priorities. Education comes first. You are smart, you take the classes you need to take, you do well in them, and THEN you GET to play baseball. He will be a senior this year. He has had the full load of AP/Honors classes throughout high school, and he has a 3.75 GPA.

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat. We never lost anyone to heat when I was a youngster, but we also didn't have AC everywhere. We never ran the air at home. We didn't have it in our cars. Our school buses and school buildings were not air conditioned. I can remember that I loved going to the grocery store with my mom. It was the only place I felt cool!

Anyway, it is important for adults to teach their children safe and healthy practices. We shouldn't depend on the coaches (although in the school systems here, they do a GREAT job!)

 

[Guard Dad]

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat.

I think there's something to this. Those of us in construction have noticed that the Mexican workers can go non-stop in this heat and it doesn't seem to bother them.

I suspect our obesity rate is a factor in it too. The heat is definitely harder on heavy people, and a lot of our kids are very heavy.

Diet is also a factor. What, when, and how much you eat will affect how well you handle the heat. Not eating is the wrong thing to do; but eating too much or the wrong stuff is also bad.

 

[I'm Floored]

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat.

I think there's something to this. Those of us in construction have noticed that the Mexican workers can go non-stop in this heat and it doesn't seem to bother them.

I suspect our obesity rate is a factor in it too. The heat is definitely harder on heavy people, and a lot of our kids are very heavy.

Diet is also a factor. What, when, and how much you eat will affect how well you handle the heat. Not eating is the wrong thing to do; but eating too much or the wrong stuff is also bad.

^5

 

[ShoeDiva]

I agree that some parents can be out of control.

As far as coaches, we've never had one who valued the "game" more than the players. Granted, we have always been very selective, but you don't have to sacrifice quality in a coach.

In our home, grades ALWAYS come first. Ours know....if you don't make the grade, you don't play. Period. I can remember our oldest preparing for High School. He came home and said he was only going to take two AP/Honors classes the next year because he was playing baseball. We said, "No, you're taking ALL honors classes." He replied that his teachers had recommended the lighter load so that he could play without so much stress. We reminded him of our priorities. Education comes first. You are smart, you take the classes you need to take, you do well in them, and THEN you GET to play baseball. He will be a senior this year. He has had the full load of AP/Honors classes throughout high school, and he has a 3.75 GPA.

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat. We never lost anyone to heat when I was a youngster, but we also didn't have AC everywhere. We never ran the air at home. We didn't have it in our cars. Our school buses and school buildings were not air conditioned. I can remember that I loved going to the grocery store with my mom. It was the only place I felt cool!

Anyway, it is important for adults to teach their children safe and healthy practices. We shouldn't depend on the coaches (although in the school systems here, they do a GREAT job!)

Where the heck did you grow up? We always had a/c. In our homes and schools. I know we are about the same age so that whole paragraph threw me! LOL

 

[ShoeDiva]

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat.

I think there's something to this. Those of us in construction have noticed that the Mexican workers can go non-stop in this heat and it doesn't seem to bother them.

I suspect our obesity rate is a factor in it too. The heat is definitely harder on heavy people, and a lot of our kids are very heavy.

Diet is also a factor. What, when, and how much you eat will affect how well you handle the heat. Not eating is the wrong thing to do; but eating too much or the wrong stuff is also bad.

Now not to generalize, but many mexican workers are overweight, and have you seen what they eat? I would need a siesta.

 

[Grey Colson]

I just remember Daughter Reacher coming home sick one afternoon after marching band practice. This was 3 years ago at PCHS. She was upset because they refused to give them sufficient breaks during practice and they had ran out of water. I knew that part of the reason she joined the band was because of my limited history and love of music. Early on I encouraged her to be a part of the choir or band, knowing that the study of music would help her with the basic subjects. But when I found out she didn't have the heart for it that I did and it could actually be harmful, I told her not to stay with it because of me. She had put many years in music through middle school and I didn't expect her to spend so much time and effort in something that wouldn't make a bit of difference for her when she became an adult. She was relieved I felt that way and resigned from band. That was harder on her than it sounds. They HOUNDED her for weeks for stepping down. Almost to the point where I was going to go to the school and tell the band directors to KNOCK IT OFF! :Stick

CRAZY PEOPLE

 

[kittycat]

I agree that some parents can be out of control.

As far as coaches, we've never had one who valued the "game" more than the players. Granted, we have always been very selective, but you don't have to sacrifice quality in a coach.

In our home, grades ALWAYS come first. Ours know....if you don't make the grade, you don't play. Period. I can remember our oldest preparing for High School. He came home and said he was only going to take two AP/Honors classes the next year because he was playing baseball. We said, "No, you're taking ALL honors classes." He replied that his teachers had recommended the lighter load so that he could play without so much stress. We reminded him of our priorities. Education comes first. You are smart, you take the classes you need to take, you do well in them, and THEN you GET to play baseball. He will be a senior this year. He has had the full load of AP/Honors classes throughout high school, and he has a 3.75 GPA.

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat. We never lost anyone to heat when I was a youngster, but we also didn't have AC everywhere. We never ran the air at home. We didn't have it in our cars. Our school buses and school buildings were not air conditioned. I can remember that I loved going to the grocery store with my mom. It was the only place I felt cool!

Anyway, it is important for adults to teach their children safe and healthy practices. We shouldn't depend on the coaches (although in the school systems here, they do a GREAT job!)

wow......did we have the same parents? LOL
your post brought back memories.....we didn;t have AC in the schools or at home...our first church didnt and I was so glad when they built the second church.....it did have AC....LOL.......A coke was a treat at our house.......and a candy bar......we didn't have the OKAY to go in the kitchen and eat whatever we wanted......we were handed our snack for the day......and we ate home cooked meals.....and my list could go on.....

 

[unionmom]

Absolutely no excuse for the lack of sufficient breaks and running out of water. Wow, just wow.

 

[I'm Floored]

Absolutely no excuse for the lack of sufficient breaks and running out of water. Wow, just wow.

I agree. I guess I spoke out of turn. I guess I should say, the coaches we've experienced have been really on top of it. I would think that the same guidelines apply countywide. I guess not.

 

[Guard Dad]

Now, you know I don't have a medical degree, but one of the problems I see is that children's bodies (and adults nowadays, too) are not prepared for heat.

I think there's something to this. Those of us in construction have noticed that the Mexican workers can go non-stop in this heat and it doesn't seem to bother them.

I suspect our obesity rate is a factor in it too. The heat is definitely harder on heavy people, and a lot of our kids are very heavy.

Diet is also a factor. What, when, and how much you eat will affect how well you handle the heat. Not eating is the wrong thing to do; but eating too much or the wrong stuff is also bad.

Now not to generalize, but many mexican workers are overweight, and have you seen what they eat? I would need a siesta.

As for construction sites, not many are very overweight. They work the calories off.

Yeah, some of the food they eat is pretty heavy. I guess they're used to it.