Youth sports refs really haven’t changed much in the 25 years since I watched my oldest daughter’s first game. Over the years, I’ve seen refs who called way too much or way too little and many many many “bad” calls. When my kids were playing youth sports, I often found myself yelling at the officials […]

Take a spin through the nearest grocery store, or rummage through the cooler at any party, and you’re bound to encounter a can of carbonated water. The market, which used to be dominated by LaCroix, Perrier, and San Pellegrino, is home to a robust class of newcomers like Bubly, Spindrift, and Waterloo. And Topo Chico, formerly an under-the-radar classic, has developed a […]

High school coach’s legacy and impact on the St. Louis hockey community lives on with his team

It’s not just toddlers who struggle around bedtime. Older kids can also have trouble getting the sleep they need, especially around back to school season. Mom blogger Kristen Hewitt shares 6 sleep aids to ensure your child is well-rested and ready to learn! WAKE-UP CLOCKS If your kid is grumpy when you draw the curtains […]

When it comes to coaching Generation Z, technology is the key to communication.  The players of today, from Generation Z, have never known life without Siri, Alexa, Smartphones and Wi-Fi.  According to the American Psychological Association, Generation Z consists of anyone born after 2005, so essentially every athlete on the field in the 14U bracket. […]

It takes a Zamboni driver a minimum of 15 passes down the ice to resurface a rink. What do they need to know to do their job?

Practical guidelines for modifying or cancelling Sports Practices.  In deciding when it is too hot to play sports depends on the heat index.  In modifying or cancelling sports practices, keep in mind the following: Hot, dry weather can be extremely dangerous. Because sweat evaporates very quickly in such conditions, your child won’t feel sweaty, and neither […]

Often the very best tips are the ones that come through word of mouth. The following four-sport parent hacks are a few I’ve observed or know about through friends and family and are so helpful I thought it was worth spreading the word. FACETIME With jobs that require frequent travel, it can be tough to […]

Yep, love is blind. And though it warps our objectivity, it may actually provide the clearest lens of all.

Below are a list of strategies to make your coaching game more effective this season. STAY ON TOP OF THE GAME Youth coaches are typically parent volunteers with a child on the team. Yet, less than four in 10 youth coaches are adequately trained in sports skills, motivational techniques and safety needs.1 How to Coach […]