The Olympics have served all of us in our lives as a source for some pretty good heros and role models.

Who doesn't remember Mary Lou Retton?

Watch with your kids and talk to them about what kind of discipline, practice and dedication becoming the best at something takes.

We watched the trials for a little while and actually saw 4 or 5 world records set. Even speaking to kids about their "personal best" which announcers mention a lot is invaluable.

Head on over to Weary Parent and get the lowdown on all the accomplished teenagers.

Then bop over to Char's Sports Girls Play to find a good athletic challenge for your daughter.

I went to the soccer league meeting on Saturday and they gave some interesting advice to the coaches.

If your team is winning 5-0 at half time, it's your responsibility, as the coach, to stop making goals and try to lose. Put yourself in the other team's place. You wouldn't like it if you went home defeated 15-0. It's no fun for the kids or their parents.

Dur. Huh?

I get it. I'm on board with their reasoning. I just think it's interesting.

What planet are we preparing our children to live on?

by Tracee Sioux

Completely violating my goal to say no to good things as I vowed to do in my column Priorities, I am the new coach of Ainsley's soccer team.

Perhaps you recall my protest last fall when my five-year-old daughter, Ainsley's, soccer coach informed me that her team was being named The Bratz. If you missed it, you should check out Go Bratz Go! where I reported how I was the only parent against naming a little girls' soccer team after vapid dolls that dress like hookers. I convinced the parents to change the name to Butterflies.

The soccer commissioners refused to be flexible about their deadline and wouldn't allow the name change. After a lot of consideration in, No Bratz No! Tantrum or Go With The Flow?, she played on the team. She was wearing an unempowering uniform which declared her a brat in bold black letters.

Playing sports is a huge confidence builder and seriously empowering for girls. Girls must have exercise, let's not forget the BMI Red Zone. Soccer beats cheerleading, in my opinion, as I said in Give Me an "A". I didn't see how anything empowering would be accomplished by yanking her off the soccer team in protest of the name. I certainly didn't want the message to be - if you don't get your way, pick up your toys and go home.

My protest, I do think, made some people think about the issue of what kind of influences their expose their daughters are exposed to. So, it wasn't a complete waste.

This season they needed a coach. I volunteered because I, as the coach, get to name the team. I also think it's important to be involved in my kids' education, activities and sports.

We'll be making a fashion statement in black shirts with pink script, pink shorts and pink socks (hopefully). I know penguins are black and white, but I didn't want to try to keep white clean.

I'm the new coach of Happy Feet.