Moms Talk: Encouraging our kids to S-T-R-E-T-C-H

This week, we take a look at how you can challenge your kids:

It seems that spring is a time for new beginnings like applying for summer employment, preparing for summer adventures and also getting set up for next year. Tryouts for 's Cheer and Drill have come and gone in preparation for the 2011-12 school year, but the is still looking to fill its summer backpacking trips. In this season of try-outs, sign-ups and summer adventures and opporunties, where does your child stand? Do they beg to sign up for everything available, relishing all kinds of experiences, or would they sit it out unless you gave them a nudge?

Most agree our kids benefit from a variety of activities and want to expand their horizons as much as possible. We are also aware that as high school approaches and the desire for "success" weighs in, specialization in fewer activities, whether it's music or althletics, becomes the norm.

So what efforts do you make to get your kids to try new things? When is it a nudge versus a push? Do you sign them up with friends as an incentive? Or require some outdoor activity before X-Box can be turned on?