Healthy mind, Healthy Spirit, Healthy life for the Young Athlete

"During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 bats a season. That means I played 7 years without ever hitting the ball."

--Mickey Mantle

I read this quote and the first thing I thought was Mickey had a lot of self confidence. His 7 years of never hitting a ball did not seem to bother him one bit.

What does self confidence have to do with health? Self confidence is very important in the healthy developement of a child. It promotes making healthy choices in all aspects and areas of life.

Having a self confident child will aid your child making better and healthier decisions as they reach the age of young adulthood. There is a less likelihood that they will follow the crowd and more likelihood that they will be more comfortable in their own skin and who they are as an individual. Self confidence promotes feeling capable, competent, relaxed, happy, energetic and positive. Children who are confident will have an increased level of inner strength, are more resilient and motivated.

As parents, it is our job to help instill self confidence in our children. Self confidence is influenced by what the parent expects from the child. It is our job to be realistic in our expectations, maintaining a proper balance between correction and positive reinforcement.

As a team of parents I think it is important to encourage, support and build self confidence in our little team of athletes. We are a good group, a positive group. Our children are lucky and they are blessed.

As parents, coaches and as a team lets remember to support each other, build each other up and encourage one another and our children. This attitude in each of us will promote in our children a healthy, mind, healthy spirit and a healthy life both now and in years to come.