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Should You Make Your Child a Professional Athlete?

If your child has an inclination for sports, you might be like many parents who fantasize about helping them pursue becoming a professional athlete.  This could include dance, football, tennis, horse showing, baseball, gymnastics, soccer or any number of other physical, competitive pursuits.

I am writing this article to give these parents general advice on things to consider.  I am doing this because we, as a family, are pursuing this kind of goal.  It is fun, but also expensive and a huge amount of time and sacrifice.  Here is what you need to know.

High School sports are fun.  But being top dog in a sport in your high school is not a sign your child can go pro in a sport.  In fact, many players who are serious about their sports do not play high school because the time spent with the high school team takes away from more serious training.  My oldest daughter, for example, was a very good high school tennis player but when she tried to compete in more serious tournaments, she quickly realized younger players were much better than her.  She did not want to go pro anyway, but as a parent, we thought she was hot stuff till we saw what real competition looks like.  Don’t get too excited to early.

Second, remember coaches are there to motivate you, earn a living and try to get the best out of the player they can.  This might result in stroking a parent’s ego a bit on how good a kid is.

Next, have a long term goal, not a short term goal.  Winning is not everything.  Proper training and physical fitness appropriate for the age along with good technique is more important than winning at a young age.  Being a serious tennis family with our youngest means we get to see parents freaking out all the time because their kid loses or has an off day.  Guess what.  Every weekend is another chance to get out there and get better.  But negativity will hurt that long term performance.

This we have seen lead to high stress in kids as well as parents getting divorced.  If you cannot deal with the stress that comes with this level of constant training and competition you may be better off not taking it so seriously.

Also, you should consider money.  Most sports are very cheap to play casually.  Take tennis for example.  Playing on a public court with 3 week old balls is a very cheap way to have fun and stay fit.  However, if you are serious about it, you are going to have 3 or more racquets that are $200ish and have them restrung each month at $35 a pop plus indoor memberships and multiple lessons per week plus a gym membership.  Then you are going to be travelling around your local area and if you are lucky, you will be travelling nationally competing in bigger tournaments and working with specialists.  In the Summer months you might spend $600 per month and Winter closer to $1,000 per month at least.  If you look at the serious Tennis academies in Florida, they are $60,000 per year in many cases.

So that $25 Walmart tennis racquet and old can of balls playing in the park can quickly become a very expensive proposition.  And in case you are wondering, no you cannot become great without some serious money and time.

Of course, there are exceptions when your child is a total freak of nature athlete.  But even then you cannot just pick up a sport in an afternoon.  Strategy and coordination must be learned.

These are just some of the issues you need to think about as a parent of a talented youth athlete.  I am not telling you not to pursue it.  I am saying you need to be realistic about chances and also about your ability to provide the resources to be successful.  Good luck.

6 Family Activities After Dusk

Summer is when the sun goes down later at night, and often kids are in bed around dusk.  But it is a great time to stay outside and enjoy the evening if your kids can stay up.  Here are 6 ideas of things you can do at dusk together as a family.

  1. Camp Fire – fire rings are common now and having a camp fire in your back yard is a great way to talk and have fun.  Each city has different fire codes and you should find out what yours are, but in many cases as long as it is contained you can have a great little fire.  Cook smores, learn fire building techniques, fire safety, and just catch up with each other.
  2. Minor League Baseball – Akron Rubberducks – check their schedule, sometimes they have fireworks.
  3. Night Hike – Take flashlights and explore a well marked, safe path at night to get a whole new perspective on nature.
  4. Drive In Theater – Yes, they are still around.  Not better quality picture, not better sounds, but a wholly different movie experience your kids need to try at least once.  Here is the one between Kent and Ravenna.
  5. Carnivals and Festivals – Do a quick search and you will find local fairgrounds and downtowns full of festivals and carnivals all Summer long.
  6. Free Park Concerts – Want to expose your family to some culture?  Me either – but we still have fun going to park concerts and you cannot lose when they are free.

Outdoor Projects To Get Done Now

Akron area home maintenance is important and a lot of things are easier to do in the Summer.

Summer is slipping by and it is time to start getting some outdoor projects done before the Fall.  Here is a list of things to check out on your house while the weather is still good and it is easier to get these things done.

Gutter Guards – Definitely before the leaves start falling you want to consider gutter guards to keep leaves and debris out of your spouting.  You can replace gutters with built in gutter guarded spouting or you can buy sheets of screen to lay over your gutters to keep the big stuff out.

Tree Trimming – Now it the right time to spot dead parts of trees and hire a tree trimmer to come in and take those branches out for you.

Window sills and frames – Before the cold comes back you can get window rot and damage fixed to better insulate your home.  This could be as inexpensive as adding some caulking to whole home window replacements which can be pricey.

Porch or deck repair – do you have some boards or banners that are loose, or soft?  These rotting or damaged parts of your porch or deck can be replaced and then have the whole thing power washed and re-stained to all match.

Roof shingles can also be loose or missing which could cause water damage.  Having someone patch one area of your roof to prevent later damage which would be much more costly.

Power washing your home is a way to brighten it up and keep it fresh as well as remove things like mold or splatters which could lead to permanent stains.

Cement repair is another thing to consider.  If your driveway is getting uneven you can call a cement leveler and have them inject cement under areas of your cement pads to raise them up and level them out.

I know I like to have a priority list for our home of upcoming projects so we keep the house well maintained and keep improving parts of it as we have the time and money.  You should also have a mental list of what needs done and take advantage of good times to do them.  A well maintained home will often help you avoid more costly repairs in the future.

The Ledges, Hudson & Peninsula Ohio

Many cities around the country have great parks that make you truly feel like you are in the middle of no where.  Akron is no exception.  There are many great parks a short drive from downtown Akron.  One park we refer to many people is The Ledges, located in Peninsula Ohio very close to Hudson.

These are not just woods to hike in.  The rock formations, cliffs and even a cave do not seem like they should be native to fairly flat Ohio.

There are several large picnic shelters that can be reserved for large groups.  Here is the one shelter on Google Maps which is very close to the most scenic trails.

The Overlook often has a group of people show up on a nice evening to watch the sun set.  It is a great view and a short walk back to your car, which is important as the park technically closes at dusk.

The path does a loop around many rock formations and cliffs, and is only a few miles long but stunning.  Across the street and down just a bit further from the Ledges entrance is another set of trails that are much longer if you want to get more exerciser.  While not full of rocks and cliffs, it is a more challenging trail and has a scenic lake and a lot of up and down areas of the trail that will give you a great workout.

Cement Leveling in Akron Ohio

Ohio is full of wonderful trees and seasons that go from one extreme to another.  This frequently means that cement in driveways and sidewalks becomes uneven and slopped the wrong way over time.  This may not seem like a big deal unless the slopped cement is pushing water against the foundation of your home or not allowing water to run off in the right direction.

Over time, water that does not drain away from your foundation because of slopped cement or any other type of poor drainage will erode the integrity of your home’s foundation and cause water leaks in your basement.  Akron homes with leaky basements have a lower home value and can have a host of other expensive issues such as bowed foundation walls or black mold in the basement walls.

While basement waterproofing can be expensive, it is also possible that your home only needs better drainage to move water away from the home instead of into the home foundation, damaging the stability of the house.

How do you know if you need full basement waterproofing or just cement leveling (Also known as Concrete Leveling)?  Of course, most reputable Akron basement waterproofing companies will provide a free quote and advise you on what you need.  Keep in mind that if you are sure you only need cement leveled, you can call a cement leveling company and they will be able to fix your problem for a fraction of the cost.  However, if you have let the problem go for a long time keep in mind the foundation will most likely need repaired as well.  The quicker you address your water drainage issue, the less likely it will be a costly repair.

A dry, nice basement in your home improved the health of the air, the usability of the space and the value of your Akron home.  Take any leak in your basement seriously early on so that you can minimize your repair expense while maximizing your enjoyment of your home.

7 Ways to Make Today GR8TR

The only way to make a lasting change for the better in your life is by doing little things better every day.  Even if you quit something cold turkey (all at once, for my non-US readers), you still must commit to maintaining that change day in and day out.

Here are seven things you can do today that will have an impact on you and the world in a positive way and make everything GR8TR.  They take very little, or no, time but can be a big change in your life if done regularly.

Be More Present

The biggest single change is an ancient one:  to be more present in the moment.  This means look around, pay attention to what is happening around you and engage with the world on purpose, not on the side.  So, a little less mobile phone screen time is going to be needed.

Smile More

Smile more and look at people.  Say hi.  Force yourself to engage a bit more with people you do not have to around you.  Even forcing a smile has been shown to make people actually happier.

Help Someone

Slightly more than hold the door and not as much as give someone money.  Just find a way to be helpful to someone throughout the day.  Think of that “act of kindness” sort of attitude.  This has maximum effect when the person is not actively looking or asking for help.

Boost Health

Today do one small thing that improves your health.  This could be skipping a sweet or could be going for a walk.  Does one day only make a different?  Maybe not.  But a journey starts with the first step.  Also, it is worth noting that when you are being healthier you are not only helping yourself, you are also helping the world.  You are consuming less resources in many areas, such as food, food processing and health care resources.

Add to Savings or Investment

Unless you have already set this up, today would make your future life GR8TR by setting it up now.  Set up automatically saving money each month.  Have a monthly amount moved to another account for saving, investment and retirement.  If you do not want to get involved in how to invest, you can use automated systems like Wealthfront or Betterment to do it for you.

Cut Something Bad Out

Breaking a bad habit can start today.  And you do not always need to completely stop doing something.  Maybe setting strict limits, such as only drinking on weekends or only buying shoes once a quarter.  Maybe it is changing from expensive coffee drinks to a simple black coffee.  Or maybe it is something that can help the environment such as not using plastic utensils and straws.  Cut one thing out today and keep it up, and lots of things get better.

No one can make wholesale changes in one day.  Instead, you can start today and make small changes that build up over time.  It all starts with a higher level of consciousness and effort day in and day out.  GR8TR is our effort to help people daily think about their activities and the impact their lives have on everyone else, and become better, and GR8TR.  To find out more about GR8TR visit www.GR8TR.us and join our email list if you are committed to improvement and planning for the future.

 

 

Best Experience Buying a New Car

There are a lot of people who can sell you a new car.  But in order to have the best experience, there are a number of factors which quickly disqualify many people and also help some people stand out.

This article is written to help you find the person who is the most knowledgeable, and actually capable of giving you the best pro’s and con’s – and help you get the best value on a new car.  No matter whether you are leasing or buying the car.

To begin, it is helpful to know which brand of car or cars you are interested in.  Think about the different factors that are important to you.  For us, we decided on a Honda Accord because it was the best combination of safety, price and feeling like a luxury car.  It has been a great car to take on long drives and combines reliability, good gas mileage and comfort for our family of four.

The good thing was I’d done the research in advance and had narrowed it down to this car and one other.  When we went to the other dealership we stood around for a bit, looked at some cars and when no one talked to us we left.  When we went to Great Lakes Honda near Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, we found it a much more engaging experience.

We were a bit lucky to meet Lynn Snoderly.  She is a top 1% award winner nationally for Honda for sales and service.  She never pressured us, made sure we understood everything and answered all our questions.  Plus, my wife does not like being “sold” stuff so she asked a lot of tough questions.  In the end we bought a Honda Accord from Lynn and had a great experience.  However, that alone would not be much of a story.  Two years later we were in the market for a new car for our daughter.  We’d never leased before but decided on that option so she would have a dependable car in college.

I saw a great deal at another Honda dealership.  I contacted them, and they wanted me to come in right away.  Because it was over an hour drive, I decided to call around a bit.  Lynn took my call right away and told me that was not the best deal out there.  She saved us a lot of money.  It turns out, if you call several dealerships you will get different offers and Lynn knew right away what was the best options based on our family’s needs.  She saves us a long drive as well as money on the exact same car.  Again, someone with a high degree of integrity, knowledge and experience is going to be able to match your needs better than a sales person just trying to close a deal by the end of the month.

So how do you spot a new car sales person who is experienced and able to help you better?

  • Ask them how long they have worked there. Sure, new people need a break, but a very new person may not be aware of all the possibilities for you.
  • If someone tries to rush you or force you to make a fast decision, they are probably not confident they are making the best offer to you.
  • Know what cars you are interested in and why, before you go to the dealership. If they try to steer you away from your preference, ask yourself if they are trying to help you or if they are simply trying to upsell you something you do not need.
  • Look for added fees and surprises in the offer. Make sure they clearly explain what any added expenses are and if expenses seem to be piles on, you may want to look around at another dealer.
  • Don’t trust an advertised sale to be the best offer you can get. Ask what other offers there are and call other dealerships if you do not love the offer they are giving you.
  • If you call first, remember they want you to come in so they can try to close the sale right away. That is their job, but they also should be worried about it being a win for you and a win for them.  When everyone is happy, you are more likely to come back and buy again. (And recommend your friends)

If you are buying a Honda in Northeast Ohio, compare what Lynn Snoderly – (330) 310-7376 – at Great Lakes Honda has to offer to any other offer you get.  If you are buying another type of car, use the general guidelines in this article to find someone with the same high level of caring and experience to help you get the best deal on the best car for you.

How To Protect Your Children From The Summer Heat

Summer vacation is the perfect time for children to enjoy hours of outdoor sports and other activities. However, the summer heat also brings the risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion. These heat related problems can result in simply an irritating sunburn or serious health consequences. This is why it is important for children and parents to know some of the ways they can protect themselves from the sun. This includes knowing what clothing to wear, what places to avoid, and the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Wear The Right Clothing

One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to dress your children in clothes that will stop them from getting hot. As a general rule, it is best to dress your children in loose clothing that is made out of as light of a material as possible. The clothing should be loose enough to allow the air to circulate, and something like a loose button up shirt will help to increase air circulation. Clothing that is of a light color is preferable, but it is important to avoid dressing your children in heavy clothing that is lightly colored. Brimmed hats will help to prevent sunburn, and will further help to keep them cool.

Avoid Cars And Hot Places

Heat stroke generally occurs when a child is exposed to a hot confined space. This is why parents should make sure that they do not leave their children in hot spaces. One of the most dangerous and common places are car interiors. It is important to never leave a child in a car unattended, and to know that simply opening a car window will not protect your child from heat stroke. Similarly, children should be provided with a shady place to rest. This is especially important during and after exercise when children are most susceptible to heat exhaustion.

Know The Signs Of Heat Exhaustion And Heat Stroke

Finally, parents should know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include redness of skin, excessive sweating, cramps, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. The warning signs of heat stroke include cessation of sweating, vomiting, cramps, and high body temperature. Parents should know these warning signs and be vigilant. Children suffering from heat exhaustion should be taken to a cool place, and those suffering from heat stroke need to be taken to the hospital immediately.

Interesting Facts About Akron

Akron, Ohio is known for putting out some of the greatest professionals we’ve seen today. LeBron James, the king of basketball, was born here and has since remained active in the community. The LeBron James Family Foundation has helped rebuild homes, educate children and will open a school in Akron this summer. It plans to house first through eighth graders by 2022.

Akron also has a history in the Civil Rights Movement. The famous abolitionist John Brown lived in the city and worked in the area as a wool expert until vowing to destroy slavery after the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy, a journalist, and fellow abolitionist. The John Brown House still stands in Akron today owned by the Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio.

In 1851 Akron hosted the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention, where Sojourner Truth, an escaped slave, delivered the improvised speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” With she spoke on rights for all women, even those of color, and slammed the civil rights movement for not seeking black women’s rights like men’s. A line from this incredible speech is, “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!”

The National Museum of Psychology calls Akron home and strives to show what it means to be human. The museum features documents, videos and artifacts from history’s leading psychologists, like Freud and Skinner. Thought provoking and full of information, this museum is a must-see for anyone. The material displayed is well explained and features interactive exhibits. The exhibits take you through the beginning of the profession, the science of it and the social changes that have progressed from psychology.

The Akron Zoo is home to one of the rarest big cats in the world, the snow leopard. There are between 3,000 and 7,000 snow leopards left in the wild, but the zoo has been welcoming snow leopard cubs since 2014. In March 2016 the first set of triplets were born at the Akron Zoo and have been winning the hearts of zoo-goers since.

Hilarious “Will There Be Free Appetizers?” Interview with Don Ake

What is different about being a humor writer in Northeast Ohio?

I am a middle-age guy in the Midwest writing about common subjects from my odd perspective.  My essays reflect Midwest values to which people living here can easily relate to.  There is one titled “The Chicago Cubs Suck” about how I felt right after the Indians lost the World Series. All Cleveland sports fans can relate to that one. There is another about having to walk my dog in sub-zero temperatures. While the book is not about Northeast Ohio, most of the stories happen here and there are numerous local references.

Some of your topics appear fairly mundane, how do they become funny?

I have the ability to find the humor in simple, everyday things. Many people compared my first book to the television show Seinfeld.  The first essay in the book is about rice cakes.  It’s like almost 900 words on just rice cakes. But people love that one, because it’s funny and if you have ever failed at a diet, you know how it feels.

How is this book different from your first one, “Just Make Me A Sammich”?

It is smoother and more consistent. My writing style has evolved over time so what you get is a more cohesive read from beginning to end.  I worked closely with my editor to smooth out the rough edges and make this one more digestible to a wider audience.

Why the change?

As my writing has changed, so has my audience.  My blog probably has more female readers than male readers now.  Also, my readers are very diverse.  I can’t believe how many enjoy my writing.  And I have a world wide audience.

How do you write humor that is not always politically correct to a diverse audience in 2018?

I’m not really sure how I do it. It goes back to those Midwest values. I don’t make fun of people for who they are, only what they do. I am writing from the perspective of a middle-age guy, so not everyone is going to get my humor. And that’s okay, lots of people do, and it’s great that a wide range of people find my stuff hilarious.

Where did the title come from?

From a story about a meeting that advertised free appetizers but didn’t have any and how upset I got because of this. Everyone loves free food, so they can relate.  The quest for my desire of free appetizers is a running theme throughout the book.

You have written two, funny, off-beat books. Not an easy process. What motivates you?

I write to make people laugh and brighten their day. Often people will tell me that they had a tough day at work and they come home and read my stuff and feel so much better.  The best compliment I get is from people who tell me they very rarely laugh out loud, but they did when they read my book.

Being funny comes naturally to me. That’s why I can find humor in almost any appropriate subject.  Writing well enough to do a book and the editing process, that’s what is difficult.

How do get readers to literally laugh out loud at your writing?

I don’t tell jokes. I am like an artist who makes you paint funny pictures in your head. While you are painting you can’t see the final product. When you do, you can’t help but laugh.  Because you have painted the picture, you find it funnier. So instead of my humor going from the outside in, lots of times it comes from the inside out.

How do you want someone to feel when they finish your book?

I want them to have a smile on their face and remember all the times they cracked up reading it.

Which essay is your favorite in Will There Be Free Appetizers?

It was easy for me to answer this question for book one, but I can’t choose a favorite in book two. There were numerous times I had to stop while editing because I was laughing out loud at my own writing. There is an essay that tells what my life would be like if every email in my spam folder was legitimate. Like if you really were going to inherit a million dollars from a lost uncle, and a young, beautiful Russian heiress really wanted to marry you.  That one probably cracks me up the most.

There is also the story of meeting my old flame after 40 years at the high school reunion.  This was the most personal and deep writing I have ever done. But it is still funny and very familiar to a lot of people.

Who will enjoy this book the most?

Middle-aged guys will laugh the most.  A lot of guys haven’t read a book in years, but my book is very easy to read because it’s all short essays that you can read one at a time.  It is a great “bathroom” or beach book. As I mentioned before, women enjoy my writing because I’m open and honest about guy stuff.  There is a chapter in the book titled “Guys Do Stupid Stuff” which is very popular with women.  But the book will be entertaining to most people older than 30.

Why should someone read this book?

This world is so stressful and we just don’t laugh enough. You need to find laughter, or some amusement in something every day.  It’s important for your mental physical health. That’s why I do what I do, and the book provides this to a bigger audience. You will relate, you will be amused and you will laugh.

Your day job is working as an economist-analyst in the trucking industry. How does that have anything to do with humor writing?

It is an odd combination, but I can work with numbers as well as words. Seeing the humor in everything just comes naturally to me. There is even a chapter in the first books with funny essays on economics.

Where can I buy your book?

You can get a personalized signed copy for a total price $13.50 (shipping included) at donake.net. It is also available on Amazon and other Internet retailers. There is also a Kindle version.

Find out more about Don Ake at https://www.facebook.com/donakeauthor/ or Twitter @theakeman