johnporcaro: mktg@large

Beat the Heat: How Do You Keep Your Kids Safe When It's Hot Outside?

Leslie Bonci, Director of Sports Nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nutrition consultant joined us today on Twitter to discuss how you can help your kids beat the heat. And today, Gatorade (client) will donate $1 to charities for every download of the Heat Safety Kit.

Making sure kids stay hydrated, especially during outdoor sports where it's warm, and dry, can cause serious problems.

Last summer, my son complained about feeling dizzy and even started slurring his speech during a soccer tournament during a rare, very hot day in Seattle.  He had on a full-length goalie jersey and goalie pants, plus goalie gloves.  We tried to make sure he was hydrated, but we probably didn't do enough to prepare.

Some great suggestions from the Twitter meetup:

• Get plenty of rest the night before @grantquonce
• Hydrate, with protein too, before the activity.  Don't forget to stretch. @mom4everandever
• Make sure uniforms aren't too tight fitting, and light colors help. @WildOrchids09
• Bring cold fruit, orange slices, grapes.  @CleverGayle @sethandshannon1
• Of course, bring the Gatorade! @simplydab
• Make some ice cubes made of Gatorade.  (Love that!) @BillieGH
• Keep an eye on the young ones.   Ask if they're okay.  @simo_8
• Stay in the shade if possible (I know I keep my umbrella handy for rain and sun!) @shannon717717
• Educate your kids so they're aware (good suggestion!) @simplydab
• Have them take "hydration breaks" @iamfor48nascar
• If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.  Drink before you're thirsty.  @scm74
• Make sure kids drink, at least as often as you apply sunscreen (or vice versa!) @glassfishie
• Make sure your kids like the sport they're in, they'll do better and excel @PlumSage
• Don’t forget about your internal equipment – breakfast, lunch and fueling before practice. @momcentral
• Make sure your kids know each teammember is important and valuable @cstironkat
• Grocery shop with your kids so you can set a good example @artisticbaker
• Watch for warning signs of heat-related illnesses: confusion, nausia, headache nausea, vomiting, light headedness, weakness, fainting, flushed skin, poor concentration @JoeyfromSC @cnaes

More information:
Beat the Heat! Campaign
Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses (PDF)
Heat Safety (PDF) | Hydration Tips (PDF)

A Weekend of Soccer (Local Style)

We had a great, sunny weekend in Seattle, and had a really fun time watching both boys participate in some exciting Soccer games.  Oh, and there was that whole world cup thing going on too.  

Alex's U12 Extreme team participated in the Snohomish Invitational, playing against some local rival teams.  Their team did extremely well, with a 1-1 tie, a 4-2 win, and a disappointing 1-3 loss, missing playing in the finals by only one point.  

Alex was rocking his brand new adidas soccer shoes that helped him run faster, jump higher, and look oh, so cool. 

 
 

Stephen played his last Indoor Game, and as goalie did a great job, winning his game, and impressing his teammates and coaches.  

  

Videogame Study Shows Kids Play Sports in Real Life Too

Owen Good at Kotaku (a very popular videogame blog) comments on a new study that came out of Europe that shows that 75% of kids that play videogames also play a sport.  Not exactly the stereotype of the anti-social,couch-dwelling teen so many parents fear. My son loves FIFA Soccer on the Xbox, but spends a lot more time playing soccer as a goalie for his select team.   

From Kotaku:

"The UK industry group TIGA touted the research, done a by a French business school’s sports marketing department. The study found 38 per cent of boys (well, males under 21) who played sports games practised their favourite video game sport in real life. Additionally, the study said 75 per cent of all gamers also took part in some kind of real sport. […]

“Video games are frequently demonised,” said a representative of the French business school. “We now know that these fears are unfounded.There is a strong correlation between playing video games and participating in real sports. Watching television is a threat to physical activity. Video games are not, however.”

Videogames are like any kind of passive activity—there’s a time and a place for it.  For kids, make sure they’re getting lots of variety, and don’t worry if they’re into a game for a while.  Just know what they’re playing, who they’re playing with, and set responsible limits. 

Play the Full 90

Play the full 90.  It’s something I tell my kids every game they play.  The last minutes of any game can make the all the difference, no matter how tired, or frustrated, or discouraged they might be. 

Since I have two boys in soccer, they’ve been particularly interested in the World Cup.  I’m sure they’ll remember this goal by the USA for a long time.

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I'm the DAD, THAT'S WHY

Dads get asked for a lot of things.  Allowance. Another bathroom break.  If they can sleep over, because mom said it's okay if you say it's okay, what the noise coming from the dryer is, what the noise coming from under the bed is, or why the sky is always grey in Seattle.  At least I do. 

So I thought it'd be interesting to start up a blog of recommendations, links, stories, suggestions, and experiences that I've being a dad of four fast-growing kids. 

I have the best kids there are.  Two daughters, ages eight and ten, and two sons, ages ten and 13.  And for those who are good at the "new math" they're teaching in elementary school, you're right, we have twins. 

Through these pages, you'll get to know them.  You'll get to know what they like.  You'll get to know what I like as a dad.  And you'll get a peek behind the curtain that divides guys like us with the people in companies trying to sell us stuff, as dads. 

Come along for the ride.  Let's help out each other.  And let's see if we can make it through the toughest job we have--no matter where we work--being a dad.