Well, Anne that dress problem was solved for us...because girls were phsycially segregated from boys by having 2 different playgrounds. But I did go to a co-ed primary school. I wonder seriously if I would have been so passionate about softball, if I was playing it in co-ed fun casual games. I didn't enjoy the co-ed softball games during phys. ed. I felt kluztier with the boys around. There is alot of value for children to play group sports amongst their own gender first before they move to mixed/co-ed teams to play on a regular basis.

When I belonged to the women's cycling group, we wonder how we could get girls into cycling. But something like that takes trememdous volunteer work and time during work hours to work within the school-time. Not doable since all of us had full-time jobs elsewhere.

Sometimes it may take 1-2 enjoyable "signature" fun sport event, that child participates with adult support close by....that they remember later on life....to take upon the sport again.

Several years ago I took my niece (15 yrs.) and her brother (13 yrs.), at that time for a 30 kms. bike ride. They didn't realize how much they cycled until I told them at the end.

I know they still occasionally bike ..as adults to university, errands. Their father does a short bike commute ride to his workplace several times a wk. And mother does practice yoga at times (she used to have her own yoga centre & teach it).

The most impressive family story was this summer, my 10-yr. old nephew cycled 50 kms. with his father on a major bike fundraising ride. Actually it was the father with his pals plus his buddies' little sons along for whole big mass ride with thousands of other cyclists.

I hope my nephew will always remember that ride with his father...inspire himself later in life.