What’s New

Takingback Sundays

A grass-roots initiative of parents collectively reclaiming Sunday as a sports-free day.

Schedule balance into your week by reclaiming Sunday as family day.

Balance4Success at University of Minnesota

A group of students at the U of M adapts Balance4Success for college life. new

Talk About Balance

Ask a question. Tell us what you think. Give us your story.

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Family Mealtime

Countless studies show that regular family mealtimes are more critical for kids’ development than any extracurricular activities.

Youth Sports

Organized sports provide many developmental benefits-and lots of fun. But with play time overwhelming many kids' and family's lives, pediatricians and mental health professionals and youth sports leaders and educators are increasingly concerned that excessive involvement in organized sports can be detrimental to kids' well being in many ways.

Youth Sports

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Balancing Family and Children's Extracurricular Activities

District 196 is an achievement-oriented community and it shows in our schools, arts, and athletic performances. But, for all its benefits, kids' intense involvement can backfire.

Is Family Time Lost?

Over-busy extracurricular schedules get in the way of family mealtime, holidays, celebrations and vacations, faith traditions — and important rest and unstructured time. Younger kids are spending more time passively watching older siblings' activities. Parents' stress can sometimes be exacerbated by the volume of their kids' commitments — which for many families includes excessive participation in sports.

Sports: The Research

4 million children visit emergency rooms each year and twice as many see primary care physicians for sports injuries. Over-use injuries are being suffered by ever younger athletes. Nearly half of youth athletes report abuse while playing organized sports. 41% of parents say their children's overscheduling makes parenting more difficult. Studies show adolescent male athletes drink more alcohol than non-athletes. Some elite female athletes experience delayed menarche. Adolescents intensely involved in certain sports are more likely to develop eating disorders. Overscheduled kids can experience stress, anxiety and depression -- though some of these may not show up until early adulthood.

...and The Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics has weighed in on the problem, discouraging specialization by young athletes, and saying:

"When the demands and expectations of organized sports exceed the maturation and readiness of the participant, the positive aspects of participation can be negated."

"Organized sports programs for pre-adolescents should complement, not replace, the regular physical activity that is a part of free play, child-organized games, recreational sports, and physical education programs in the schools."

Still not convinced?

This quote is from Alvin Rosenfeld, MD, was delivered during a keynote address at the International Youth Sports Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 13, 2003, titled Harvard, Soccer, Over-Scheduled Families

"I can't speak as an elite athlete. But my friend Donna deVarona won 2 gold medals in the 1964 Olympics. She feels that specialization and the competitive demands it puts on youngsters too early in life leads to mental burnout and potential physical problems. So she refuses to let her own children train and compete in only one sport year round. Her own Olympic coach advised her that cross training, not early specialization, is what future elite athletes need. Donna also makes family time a priority over practices. She won't let her kids play travel soccer because she insists on family dinners together, and on vacations where her children can take a respite from the pressures of a rigorous academic schedule."

To read the entire speech, click here.