Raising an Active Kid: What It's Worth

My answer was simple, succinct and selfish. The benefits of being an active kid was improved sleep.

As in, parents get your child outside, where him the heck out and enjoy some well deserved down time before you hit the sack.

But my response during a recent Twitter chat hosted by Active.com and the newly launched ActiveKids.com was short sighted.

Yes, better sleep was a benefit for the child but fostering an active lifestyle provides so much more. Children who are active and/or participate in organized sports often have improved self esteem, coordination, social skills, strength and memory. They will learn the importance of failure but also that it's worth trying. They will learn the value of teamwork and how to support others. They learn about the relationship between hard work and success.

Children will learn to feel pride.

And it was pride I felt, too, as it was one of my first activities as a contributor to ActiveKids.com and Active.com ambassador.

When ActiveKids.com first reached out to me, I was a bit taken aback. I am not a "big" blogger. I don't have crazy stats. I'm just me – a mom to one, soon to be 2, who's hoping to pave a new path for my children. I want them to be happy, confident and active. I don't want them to feel left out or, worse, single themselves out because of how they feel about themselves. I don't want them to feel afraid or limited. I want for them what I didn't have.

Then again, maybe that's why I was asked to join the #AASquad – and it's why I said yes.

My relationship with the site will be a bit different than my other ambassadorships. While there are some perks, it's less about products and discounts and more about creating and providing quality content about raising active kids. I'll be contributing articles to the site, which I'll share via social media,

Here are the first two:

Start Them Young: 5 Benefits of Organized Programs for Preschoolers
3 activities to help your ACTIVEkids soak up spring

What tips do you have for raising an active kid?