What coach is going to put an 8th grader on varsity? There are 18 &19 year old men playing varsity teams.

Talented or not, that is very irresponsible of the coaches.

Is this football or lacrosse?

Anonymous wrote:DC has been benched by concussion (second one this academic year) and I'm inclined to just nix this sport. Am I over-reacting? Child is fighting tooth and nail to stay on team...

what sport is it?

OP - I thought about you the whole way in to work. I posted already. Your post said your kid is working hard to keep that Varsity position. That says to me loud and clear:

YOUR 8TH GRADER SHOULDN'T BE PLAYING VARSITY.

The other thing is that I suspect you are handling this through your GP. That's not good enough (I have experience here). Can your child handle his school work? Should your child be doing all of his school work? Was he given advice on how to approach school and the reintegration of sports when/if he is ready.

Call Childrens.

Bench him - it's just not worth it. My best friend's daughter had 3 in a short time and 4 years later she's still not well. The slightest bump to her head and she spirals back into the migranes etc. She can't do anything sports-related where she could bump her head...it's a nightmare.

This is very interesting, OP because also, whatever you choose to do send's your son a message about how to treat his body. So whichever way you come down, it has to be framed carefully.

Let us know what you decide to do!

You cannot rely on coaches to pull the plug. I know of situations where they allow players to continue after 4 or 5 concussions. I would pull him from the sport after two. If he needs convincing show him the PBS documentary League Of Denial (they are re-airing it in 2 weeks). If he's a gifted athlete he should be able to find a non-contact sport and do well, especially because he's so young. (Running, swimming, tennis . . .)

I have family out of state who deal with this so I don't have a local rec. But I'd find the best concussion/brain injury /whatever specialist you can find to evaluate and continually monitor your kid. I would never leave eval up to just the sports team's doc and the kid (both of whom want kid to get back on the field). Haven't you as a parent been forced to watch the concussion injury videos? (This is now standard part of Parents of Athletes Night of our school.)

PS: Our personal experience is that American coaches do a terrible job teaching our kids how to protect themselves and their heads. Of course, some concussions are going to happen, but some could be avoided through training. I don't know if that is the case here.

OP - This is serious. I know your child is a skilled athlete, perhaps even gifted at it if he is playing varsity while in 8th. You are aware that six weeks is an estimate? Six weeks until he is allowed to practice, or six weeks until he is allowed to go whole hog?

Here's my thought. He shouldn't be playing varsity until he's physically more mature. They shouldn't even let him. Big boys are still boys.

As for you and your child. It is time to think about a new sport. Perhaps children's hospital's concussion clinic can get you some advice on what to do? Their clinic is very good.

And, is your child wearing a mouth guard (I don't know the sport, so this isn't a stupid question)?

Anonymous wrote:Two concussions in one year is serious. Three in a youth's lifetime is serious. I think nixing the sport is prudent.

+1

Read about adult football players whose lives have been ruined by brain injuries.

No way I would allow him to continue.

Two concussions in one year is serious. Three in a youth's lifetime is serious. I think nixing the sport is prudent.

Anonymous wrote:What do the doctors say? Can he/should he go back?

Is he varsity/first string and did he get a concussion during a game? Could you allow him to work out with the team/be on scout team for a while?

DC is varsity (first year making it), but middle school Doctors say 6 weeks no contact sports, which essentially kills the season. DC is fighting to continue practices (running/conditioning) but I suspect will try to get back in the mix. Not sure I want this as a high school sport . I can't wrap the child in bubble wrap, but these concussions are disturbing/scary.

I stand with Wendy.(hint: OP is Wendy). Look at the long term affects of multiple concussions.

What do the doctors say? Can he/should he go back?

Is he varsity/first string and did he get a concussion during a game? Could you allow him to work out with the team/be on scout team for a while?

DC has been benched by concussion (second one this academic year) and I'm inclined to just nix this sport. Am I over-reacting? Child is fighting tooth and nail to stay on team...