This month, PressBox received a special letter to the editor from Robert Ehrlich, the former governor of Maryland. 

Like any parents of young children, life is pretty full these days. For the Ehrlichs, building a law firm, charitable fundraising, speaking engagements and the Saturday radio show ensure a busy professional schedule.

But our most important job, parents to Drew, 9, and Josh, 4, has gotten a bit more difficult the last few weeks. Actually, the difficulties are more Drew-related since young Josh is still a couple of years away from the commencement of his athletic career.

Drew is already a three-year veteran of sandlot baseball, football and basketball. Daily, he consumes high school, college and pro sports. Athletics-related discussions with his parents (and a quick read of local newspaper sports sections) are part of his daily routine. All this is what makes the recent Michael Phelps and Alex Rodriguez stories more difficult -- and parental responsibilities more complicated.

Back in the days when athletes didn't make millions and autographs were free (and usually freely given), the range of potentially difficult-to-discuss topics rarely went beyond booze and the occasional cheating scandal. For Baltimore fans, growing up with Johnny U., Brooksie, Boog, Cakes Palmer and Wes Unseld was easy. Not a whole lot for parents to worry about with those guys and the tenor of the times.

These days, parents are required to explain strip clubs, guns in nightclubs, steroids and domestic violence to 9-year-old sports fans. The advent of ESPN, 24/7 talk radio, the blogosphere and a college recruiting process beginning in middle school has made it so.

The reality of modern parenthood requires parents of young male and female athletes to confront adult issues with children just a few short years after they put down the sippy-cups. So what to do?

Our decision as parents to discuss adult incidents (in pre-teen terms) with basic life lessons as the foundation: “Drugs will hurt you,” “Treat your teammates with respect” and “Learn from your mistakes.” The fact these challenging conversations take place two to three years prior to age appropriate is a fact of parenthood circa 2009. 

The information superhighway has its obvious upside. Kids can explore a universe of knowledge with the click of a mouse. When it comes to the trials and tribulations of modern day athletics, every parent hopes that all this expedited, grown-up information will result in life lessons taught and learned. Let’s hope so.

There are few other positives I can glean from having to discuss the trials and tribulations of Pacman Jones with a 9-year-old. 

--Robert Ehrlich

Issue 135: March 2009