Letting Your Kids Play Games

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Springtime is definitely the time to get out and exercise and there is no doubt it is definitely the time for kids to participate in all kinds of sports.

One of the favorites this time of year is little league baseball and there is no doubt it can be great fun. But baseball, like many youth sports, has a great deal of involvement by parents - parents as coaches and parents as fans - and there are concerns that need to be discussed.

Certainly parental involvement is a great thing. It helps with bonding and certainly increases quality time but one of the problems is that parents can also be a bit excessive in their desire to win or have their children be a star. Again, there is nothing wrong with wanting what is best for your child but don't overdo it or put too much pressure on them.

We all know the story of the child who throws too many pitches and hurts his arm, but sometimes the psychological stress can even be greater. Definitely be involved with your kids but don't get too invested and push too hard.