No one ever said raising children was easy -- but with enough smiles, elbow grease, persistence, communication, fun, and participation in sports, you and your brood can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Bringing kids into the world and turning them (hopefully) into members of society is a complicated thing. Here are some resources for making sure you have the main points covered.   Communication is key Any coach worth their salt understands that the old adage “communication is the most important part of any relationship” goes double for the ones you have with your kids, even from the earliest years.   Supporting your child’s ability to express themselves verbally should begin nearly at birth. Using synonyms of a word once your child expresses their understanding of it is a good way to help them build vocabulary. When your child gets older, read stories to them, and sing songs together. You’re building their skills and their trust in you.   Promote emotional health Your children have mental health challenges, too -- and teaching them how to care for themselves in a way that improves their emotional health will be a huge boon to them in the future. This is true on and off the field.   Using physical cues like hugs can be a great way to display love and improve self-esteem. Provide structure for the activities they are doing. This includes things like a schedule for sports practices and games, bedtime, time limits on video games and tablets, and rules for playtime (like no running in the house, etc.).   Set goals for yourself If the best form of flattery is emulation, then it follows that the best form of education is by example.   Setting goals and earning achievements will show your child that you care for yourself -- and that therefore they should care for themselves as well. Go back to school and earn your master’s degree in computer science or information technology security -- or something else that strikes your fancy. Prioritizing education will show them that they should also care. Create a culture of kindness and good sportsmanship, and make sure they know it is your goal. They will learn from the example you set.   Give them a good head start with nutrition As children age, they need to learn how to build a healthy diet for themselves. You are doing it for them now, but give them the building blocks to achieve this alone once they leave the nest.   Remember: The recommended daily allotment of protein is just about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight per day. Introduce the idea of a healthy diet slowly but surely if you haven’t already. Make small changes that have a big impact down the line, like more veggies and whole grains. Teach your kids to look to nature first for alleviations to their ailments, such as vegetable juice serums.   Giving your kids the building blocks to their [...]