Great posts above and a lot to ponder....So those posts will be enough to limit my thoughts.
As for the sports....I do have an opinion.Now this is coming from a guy who played competitive sports from 4 to 22 (into division 1 college) and has been coaching youth soccer for 7 years. The boys really don't need practice time outside of team practice just yet....give them a mitt, ball, etc (I just don't recommend a bat....personal experience on that one). Let them develop their love of the sport on their own. Trust me that they will. As a coach....just kicking a ball around the yard is the best thing for them.
Excerpt from conversation last night with 15 year old player:
Me: So you used to play classic and challenge soccer? Mary: Yeah Me: Why did you stop playing Mary: It wasn't fun....There was too much pressure Me: From the coach Mary: Some from the coach....but more from my parents. All we every did was practice all the time. It was all about winning and pushing to get better. It got the point where all it was was practice. Me; Well we have fun here....put I will push you.
After practice;
Mary: Coach......Thank you. That was fun. Me: You are welcome Mary....It was a pleasure to watch you play. Mary; Practices weren't like this before. Me: I believe in you that you have more to give me on the field, that you can improve and become better. The key is to become better for yourself while having fun, not to get better to win. If you get better, you will win....it is just a forgone conclusion.
Think about that conversation 3B....not just for your boys, but also yourself.
