ResponsibleSports.com asks parents this summer...

Summertime is here and that means summer sports are in full gear. Liberty Mutual’s ResponsibleSports.com educates parents and coaches about the positive influence sports play in children's lives. Summer and sports are a winning combo for kids who swap school books for bats and balls, as they take part in summer camps and sports leagues.

Here is the question:

"As a parent, how do you encourage and reinforce the positive aspects of youth sports?"

I have always loved sports myself. But growing up in a hispanic immigrant family who had more important things that expensive sports on their minds, i never got to play. In high school i finally was allowed to play softball becuase it didn't cost my parents anything. I loved it. I looked forward to the games, my friends, and everything else. I even got my letterman jacket for playing on the varsity softball team. I didn't learn how to play volleyball until after high school, and i didn't want this for my son. So when my son turned 3, I signed him up for his first sport, Soccer. I, being a single parent, was looking for male influence in my son's life. I wanted to teach him teamwork, leadership, friendship, and most of all wanted him to have fun. We got more than that out of one sport. My son was so shy, and scared I ended up becoming the assistant coach. He wouldn't even get on the field without me. That season was great. My son and I got closer than we have ever been. We learned so much about Soccer. We were hooked. YMCA 04, Me and Matt (he is right under me)

After that season and many more seasons after I have always giving him the choice to continue playing sports if he feels up to it. I never want to puch something on my son that he would not want to do. But sports has kept him busy. He loves making all the new friends. And I always end up being assistant coach. I am always involved at the local YMCA. If there is opportunities open I always ask my son if he would like for us to join in on the fun. Programs like the YMCA will work out payment plans for assistant to those that need it. It doesn't cost much to me for all that we get out of it.

Matt 06

So as a parent I continue to allow my son to play any sports he wishes as long as his grades are passing. I provide him with opportunities that i did not have growing up. I encourage him by getting all our family out there cheering for him. I support by being the assistant coach or team mom, selling chocolates, or buying snacks. Sports are great for kids. Let's all encourage our kids and give them these opportunities, there are lessons to be learned out on those fields some that can't be taught anywhere else.


About the Liberty Mutual ResponsibleSports.com:
Created by Liberty Mutual in partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance, US Youth Soccer, USA Hockey and the Amateur Softball Association, the Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports program provides resources for parents and coaches at www.responsiblesports.com to help children reap the full benefits of playing a team sport. The online community incorporates blogs, videos, and best practices on youth sports topics that provide practical, real-world advice. Parents and coaches also can complete coursework on positive sports mentoring that offers best practices for handling challenging sports scenarios.


Please leave a comment, what sport do your kids love the most?

Honorary Short Stop for Houston Astros

CONGRATULATIONS

M

You have been selected to participate in

Astros Buddies Behind-The-Scenes Day!

Houston Astros Buddies Club

2009 Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club

Hey Kids, make the most of the 2009 Houston Astros season and join the Astros Buddies Club presented by Coca-Cola.

New, improved and better then ever this year's membership features none other then Lance Berkman. Look at everything you get for only $15!


Tickets ($60 Value)
Your buddies ticket coupon is good for four(4) free View Deck I tickets or can be applied to the purchase of four or more upgraded Astros tickets to pre-selected Buddes game dates: April 21, May 9, June 24, July 6, August 20, September 6.
Drawstring Mesh Jersey Bag
It looks just like Lance Berkman's jersey and carries all your stuff.
Buddies Baseball Cap
The 2009 addition to add to your collection.
Members-Only Party
Party is scheduled for August 20 at Minute Maid Park only for members and their one adult guest. More information to come.
Buddies Membership Card
Entitles you to a 15% discount in the Team Store and special line access for Run the Bases.
Monthly Drawings
Win autographed stuff and chances to watch batting practice from the field.
Buddies Newsletters
Mid-season and at the end of the season.
Photocard of Your Favorite Player
Astros Sticker

LoobaLee Giveaway...07/15

Enter Our LoobaLee Subscription Giveaway!
LoobaLee.com is offering an opportunity to win a free annual subscription for participating in their Private Beta test!
LoobaLee is a new site for buying and selling children's designer clothing and accessories. It's exclusively designed to be custom to the kids clothing market, as well as be fun and easy for busy Moms too! LoobaLeepromotes an "outfit your kids for virtually free" philosophy, and blogs about how to "Buy right, Care right, and Sell right" to help dress your kids in quality designer clothing for less!


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Hurry! This opportunity closes on July 15, 2009. LoobaLee will be going public shortly thereafter.

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1) Visit LoobaLee, and select "Request a Code" from the home page. Complete the request form and indicate "Independent Mami" in the referral box.

When your code arrives by email (usually within 1 day), access the site and Register as a Member (no charge)

Diane Birch-Bible Belt CD Review

Have you ever heard of Diane Birch?

I had heard of her but not had a chance to hear her music. Thanks to One2One Network for giving the opportunity to review this cd.

Her music is soultry just like her face in the picture of her CD. Her songs are soothing to the soul. You would never think this music was coming from such a person. What a voice! I don't think there is anything like this out their in the music industry. Popping in this cd took to me to a different place. Her music is wonderful and so are the lyrics. Check out her cd which was just released this month.

Bio:
For singer-songwriter Diane Birch, music was a refuge. Although Diane was born in Michigan, her childhood was spent on the move as the daughter of a preacher, living between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia, before her parents finally settled in Portland, Oregon. When she was in her early teens, Diane absorbed a unique and cosmopolitan perspective on life that shines through her music and makes a simple categorization of it impossible.

The result? Diane Birch sounds like an old favorite, with all the sparkle and magic of a breakthrough talent. People says she sounds like a combination of early Carole King, Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks, with a little Joss Stone and Cat Power mixed in. Bible Belt is only her first record, but it’s one of the most accomplished albums you’ll hear all year. From the opening track “Fire Escape” to the closing “Magic View,” Diane’s stunning voice is mesmerizing.

Written entirely by Diane, Bible Belt was recorded in New York City and New Orleans with an impressive team of Grammy-winning producers: S-Curve Records founder Steve Greenberg, soul legend Betty Wright and Mike Mangini, in their first project together since producing Joss Stone’s first albums.

Link to MP3 of ‘Fire Escape’
Fire Escape

Myspace
Diane Birch on myspace

I would like to thank my sponsor,
One2One Network-The Women's Word of Mouth Network
Fun Projects. Cool Perks. Nice People. Join Us.
One2One Network

Yanni Voices in Concert

On Saturday, June 13, I got a chance to go see Yanni Voices live in concert. If you read my earlier blog post Yanni Voices CD Review, you know that I fell in love with their music. I had never heard of Yanni or the voices. The concert was great. The music was so good. People would get up off their seats and start dancing. It was so wonderful to see people feeling the beats. The performance was awesome. My fiancee wasn't very happy to go hear a concert for "Yanni Voices". He said it was my music and he was just accompaning me. But after the concert he said it was not what he expected. He is now a Yanni Voices fan. We had a great time.
After the concert we were able to meet them. It so great. Nathan, Ender, and Leslie were so nice. And guess what they tweet and blog. @Leslie_Mills, @EnderThomas, @NathanPacheco Check them out, send them a message, and listen to their music.
Leslie Mills & me
Ender signing my cd, YEAH
Nathan, Me, fiancee, & Ender

Ender & Me

I was also able to meet a fellow mommy blogger, Stacey and her husband. Check out her blog, Tree, Root, and Twig


Me & Stacey & our guys

I would like to thank our sponsor.
One2One Network-The Women's Word of Mouth Network
Fun Projects. Cool Perks. Nice People. Join Us.
One2One Network