“A Mom’s Guide to Surviving High School Athletics”

Oct. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- Jackson, NJ – October 2010 -- Every year, more than seven million students participate in high school sports. Parents take on many new roles as they involuntarily become personal trainers, nutritionists, chauffeurs, agents, and cheerleaders. In her book, "A Mom's Guide to Surviving High School Athletics", author and proud parent of a high school student athlete, Michelle Winfrey, delivers a roadmap for parents raising student-athletes in a sports-crazed society.

Leveling the playing field for parents everywhere, "A Mom's Guide to Surviving High School Athletics", helps parents navigate through unfamiliar territory and defines the role of the parent. Offering practical advice, the guide covers everything from nutrition, commitment, performing under stress, and sportsmanship, to dealing with injuries and financial obligations.

"An extension of the classroom, high school sports teach important life lessons," said Winfrey.  Every student athlete deserves to have a meaningful developmental experience and this guide promises to help parents be positive role models."

"There are few resources for parents entering the world of high school sports," Winfrey continues.  "A Mom's Guide to Surviving High School Athletics was written to educate parents like myself who want what's best for our children but are out of their league."  

In addition, the opportunity to play organized athletics beyond high school comes only to a select few. Winfrey discusses steps to help parents prepare their sons and daughters for the next level.

Special features of the book include:
•   Ten Lessons Your Child Can LIVE With: These life lessons include areas of respect, communications, planning ahead and more.
•   List of Expenses to Budget for: Playing high school sports is not free. A list of expenses is supplied to help parents plan and budget.
•   Social Media Networking: Learn how social media can be used to benefit the high school student-athletic.
•   Do’s and Don’ts for Sports Parents: as written by Michael A. Taylor a Certified National Youth Sports Administrator; an Instructor for the Standard University based Positive Coaching Alliance, a long-time member of the United States Elite Coaches Association.

“A Mom’s Guide to Surviving High School Athletics” will benefit high school athletic programs - their athletic directors, coaches and athletic trainers. The student-athlete, will also benefit greatly because their parents will have gained a greater understanding of high school sports.

“A Mom’s Guide to Surviving High School Athletics” will hit shelves in October.

Ordering information
Author:      Michelle Whitaker Winfrey
ISBN:      978-0-9727179-7-7
Format:      Paperback
Price:      US: $21.95            
Size:      6” X 9”
Pages:      232
Publisher:                        Hobby House Publishing Group (A Division of Blaque Design, LLC)


Community Program – Quantity Discounts
In order to help support high school athletic programs, a quantity discount program has been established. With orders of 10 books or more, schools can purchase “A Mom’s Guide to Surviving High School Athletics” at a discount and resale the books to their sports parents, keeping the net proceeds for their athletic programs. For more information on this program visit www.amomsguidetosurvivinghighschoolathletics.com, or email contactwinfrey@gmail.com


Author the author - Michelle Whitaker Winfrey has participated in sports the majority of her life, as an athlete, coach, volunteer and the parent of an athlete. She has coached a wide variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball and a dance team.  As an athlete, Winfrey played basketball, softball, paddleball and racquetball. She bowled for more than 12 years, danced since she was five, boxed a little and did weight training to enhance strength and flexibility. Her involvement in school sports was so vast that she received the prominent female athlete award in both middle and high school.  She continued her athletic career in college with dance and weight training and had her own dance company for several years.

The mother of a three-varsity-sport high school athlete, Michelle has spent several years involved with high school sports. For more than 10 years, Michelle sat on several sports-related boards, including serving as vice president of a Football Association. She previously organized two junior sport leagues: one basketball league and the other a multi sport league with, basketball, soccer and baseball. The Parents High School Sports Education Group was founded by Michelle. Through this group, middle schools, high schools, parent organizations and booster clubs invite Michelle to speak with other parents about high school sports. For additional information visit: PHSEDgroup.com.