Excelling in sports has become as much a part of the American dream for parents as getting their kids into the best school and living in the best neighborhoods. |
I've always been careful because what is the difference between this and paying somebody $70 an hour to teach my kid how to play piano, 'cause I can't play piano? |
If you really think that will help your kid, your kid benefits from it and you have the money, that is fine. Nobody can dictate how somebody spends his or her money. |
Specialization is a major phenomenon all over the country, and it can and does start with kids as young as 7 or 8. |
The day of the three-sport star has become somewhat extinct these days, |
Without the spontaneous joy of play in the equation, kids may tire of their one sport and quit. And when they quit, they rarely come back to that sport again. |