281: Before You Sign Up for That Team... A Reality Check for Parents
Podcast: Oh Crap with JamiePublished On: Tue Dec 16 2025
Description: In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest sources of stress for modern families: kids’ sports and activities—especially in the 6–10 age range. Someone asked me on Instagram what I think about structured sports for this age bracket, and the truth is… I have a LOT of thoughts.We talk about what kids actually need developmentally, why free play is still crucial after age six, how overscheduling destroys family connection, and why year-round specialization is burning kids out before middle school. I also share real stories from my own life and the families I’ve worked with—including repetitive injuries, stressed-out kids, and parents losing themselves in the carpool hamster wheel.If you’re trying to choose activities for next year, feeling pressured by travel teams, or just exhausted from the sports treadmill, this episode will help you rethink what’s truly best for your kid and your family unit.What's Covered:⚽ Why structured sports under age 10 need a major rethink🧠 The hidden cost of overscheduling: stress, burnout, and disconnection🏃♂️ Repetitive injuries + early specialization → why kids quit by 12👨👩👧 How to choose activities that support your whole family🎭 What kids miss out on when sports dominate their lives👉 Sign up for my newsletterJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapeeBrick for Phones
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