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The mornings are crisp and it’s about time to pull out those scarves and boots, so what does that mean? Football, baby! But not all kids are fans of fall sports. Elaina Lantrip, an advanced practitioner with Renown Pediatrics talks about how to keep kids active if they’re not in love with fall sports. Fall in northern Nevada means tailgates, Saturdays at the field, football fun and prep time for basketball season. But oddly enough, we parents aren’t in control of our kids’ likes and dislikes — shocking, we know. This means sometimes kids don’t like the fall sports we enjoy. So how do we keep them active even if they’re not a fan of football, basketball or any sport ending in “-ball”? We asked Elaina Lantrip, APRN for Renown Pediatrics, for some tips. Activities for Kids Who Don’t Like Fall Sports What are some reasons kids may not be interested in sports? Team sports are often the go-to option to get your children more active. But there can be a number of reasons your child may not be interested. First, many fall sports are open to preschoolers, but it’s not until age six or seven that most kids have the attention span, physical skills and can fully grasp the rules. If your child is nervous about their abilities, try practicing at home before quitting the sport. You may find your child becomes more interested as they become more confident in their skills. Other kids may find team sports too competitive and feel too much pressure to play perfectly for their coach and teammates. If possible, evaluate the coach and league before signing up to find out how competitive they are. Doing so ahead of time may help you find the right fit for your little one. What do you suggest to keep kids moving when they don’t like fall sports? Some kids just don’t enjoy sports or would prefer to do something on their own, and that’s fine too. Kids can still get the 60 minutes of exercise they need each day in other ways. Free play such as shooting baskets, riding bikes, playing tag or jumping rope can be good options or they may be interested in individual sports such as swimming, horseback riding, dance lessons, roller skating or skateboarding, hiking, golf, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, running or cheerleading. All of these are good options because they keep your child active and moving, but may fit better with what they’re interested in and truly enjoy. How can you work with your child to find which activity is best for them? Finding the right fit can be a challenge. It’s important to be patient as it may take several tries at different sports or activities to find the right activity. Start by explaining to your child they need to take part in some activity. Work with your partner to create a list of options you both agree on and see what interests your child. Once your child makes their pick, make them stick with it through one season or a full set of lessons to ensure they get a complete idea of what’s involved. One game or one lesson isn’t enough to decide it is or isn’t for them. What are some easy ways to be active indoors? Even though staying indoors can be a bit of a bummer, there are plenty of options to help your kids and yourself stay active while enjoying some quality time together. You can plan a scavenger hunt, build a fort, set up hopscotch in the hallway, throw a dance party and make everyone freeze each time the music stops, create an indoor obstacle course, hula hoop or play tag in the living room. As your kids get older, playing video games that require movement and mimic sports or physical competitions are good options. Your kids may even join in on a workout DVD or you can have a friendly contest to see who can do the most pushups and sit ups in one minute. BestMEDICINE Kids Subscribe to BestMEDICINE Kids and receive a monthly email featuring educational and inspirational stories dedicated to kids health and wellness from pregnancy through childhood. Join Today!

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Becoming a caregiver or playing a more active role in another’s healthcare is a big responsibility. At some point, almost all adults will support an aging parent or a loved one in need. Keeping track of their needs and wellbeing, while also prioritizing your own can become overwhelming. It’s important to know: you are not alone, and help is available. Read on for 11 tips to help you manage your time, your own wellbeing and your loved one’s care. Self-care comes first. When your main priority is the person in your life who needs care, it’s easy for your own needs to take the backseat. Give yourself time each day to focus on your personal wellbeing. It’s hard to give a loved one the care they need if your own needs are not met. Prioritize the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Make a note of what ADLs your loved one can do alone, what they need help with and what activities require the most help. This will help you work through the day with them, as well as plan out how the day’s activities will go. Do a home safety audit. Do showers, bathtubs and steps have safety grab bars? Look around the house for additional tripping hazards, like rugs or electrical cords. If your loved one struggles with day-to-day navigation of the home, consider scheduling an occupational therapy appointment. This type of therapy helps a person develop or maintain the motions required to accomplish daily tasks. You might also qualify for a referral to in-home healthcare, such as Home Care. Have the hard conversation. The best time to discuss views about end of life care and to learn what choices are available is before a life-limiting illness or crisis occurs. With advance care planning, you can help reduce the doubt and anxiety related to decision making at the end of life. Completing an Advance Directive is a great tool to sort out all these decisions before they’re needed. Attend a free workshop to learn more and complete this important document. Identify when you need respite. Respite care involves receiving a short-term break from caregiving. Organizing in-home care for your loved one will allow you to step away and tend to your needs. By identifying what kind of respite care you are seeking, you can find the right person to provide you with that much-needed break. Don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed, plan ahead. Write down insurance contact information. Have a direct connection to the right insurance professional for support and advice. If your loved one is eligible Medicare, this is a good opportunity to review their current selections and if they would benefit from a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Supplement Insurance. Seeking out expert advice or information on Medicare options is a great way to navigate this. Consider calling a broker, or attend a free educational seminar with Senior Care Plus. Gather legal and financial information. Make a list of all existing legal documents and financial accounts that your loved one has. These might include a will, advance directive, power of attorney, bank accounts or investment accounts. If you have questions about how to manage them, or need assistance in setting up additional framework, reach out to a lawyer, legal service, financial adviser or bank representative. Create an inventory of medical information. Identify where all of your loved one’s medical records are, as well as a list of providers or healthcare practices where they have received care. Consider if you should have your loved one give you Proxy Access in MyChart, which allows you to access all the features in MyChart on their behalf, including viewing upcoming appointments, viewing test results and emailing a doctor on their behalf. Make a list of what others can do. Think about all the little (and big) things that need to happen, and write down tasks that others could take care of you. When someone says “let me know what I can do” you’ll be ready with a pre-written list of items they may be able to assist with. Tasks could include tackling around-the-house repairs, scheduling lawn work, helping to walk the dog, taking a car for an oil change and cleaning. Find programs and events for social enjoyment. If and when possible, seek an activity outside of the home. Look for community centers that have programs for seniors, recreational activities or meals that you can patriciate in together. If leaving the home is not an option, arrange for visits or in-home activities, such as movie nights, card games or time to visit with family. Research long-term options. If you will be considering a nursing home or assisted living, make a list of amenities that you and the person you are caring for would like. Take this list with you when visiting potential locations to make sure you don’t forget to ask about each item.

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