My 9 year old son, Brandon, is a fairly well-rounded, young tweener who has played all different sports. And as a mother I have discovered that not only do academics shape my children but participating in sports also has a positive impact. There are times when you see that your child excels in a particular sport and you try to hone in on how you can help them do the best they can.

He has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old and has been having a blast. Throughout the years he has grown to be a wonderful soccer player and continues to grow as an athlete each season. His enthusiasm, passion and motivation are so much fun to watch. But at times it can be difficult to juggle school and sports. There are days when my son just doesn’t feel like giving 110% at practice or even feels like playing the game at all.

That’s when I hope the advice that I have passed onto my son resonates with him. I tell him, “When we commit to something we try to see it to the end.”

So, on those difficult days I give him an extra push and get him back on track. Guiding him through life’s challenges and obstacles, I feel, shapes him into being a stronger person in the future and teaches him not to give up.

My daughter emulates what her big brother does and she is flourishing on her own. She’s just starting Kindergarten this year and still figuring out her likes and dislikes. But like my son I will support her in whatever her interests may be.

Procter & Gamble - Crest and Oral-B recognizes and supports what moms do everyday. Their recent ad campaign focuses on thanking mothers for everything they do. With the Summer Olympics beginning today in London, P&G partnered with moms of Olympic athletes. One incredible family that my own family will be watching closely is the Lopez family.

The Lopez children consists of Steven, Jean, Mark and Diana who are at the world elite level in Taekwondo. Steven, Mark and Diana made history in 2005 becoming the first three siblings in any sport to receive the World Championship title at the same event. Steven and Diana will be competing in this years 2012 Summer Olympics.

I recently had an opportunity to interview Ondina Lopez who is the heart of the “First Family of Taekwondo”. She shared advice on what it’s like to raise Olympian athletes. What I realized during the interview was that we had a lot of commonalities. She is a mother that is no different than the rest of us. She ultimately wants the best for her children, help them to succeed in life, become good and caring citizens of society and support them to be the best they can be.

Some key highlights from Ondina Lopez during the interview:

“ Have lots of patience. There are no limits to what you can do.”

“Culture was important - Spanish was only spoken in the house, Latina food was cooked, books in Spanish were read.”

“ Familia siempre que estar unida – Families always are united - when it comes to organizing the household.”

“Teach your children to be honest.”

“When your child loses always give lots of hugs, tell them they did their best and that there is always another day.”

“Whatever you start you must finish and give everything you do 110 percent!”

“I treated my daughter exactly the same way I treated my sons in the sport of Taekwondo.”

“As a mom I gave my kids everything they needed, that’s how I would like them to remember me.”

Crest & Oral-B Complete help give Taekwondo fighter Steven López the confidence to show off his healthy, winning smile. López, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and bronze medalist will be competing in the 80kg division at this year’s Games. Crest & Oral-B Complete have also partnered with Steven’s mother, Ondina López, to highlight the importance mom’s support can play in an athlete’s success.

To learn more about P&G Oral Care Olympic Games partnership, please “Like” Crest on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/crest) and visit them at http://www.crestcomplete.com (English) or http://www.crestcomplete.com/es-US/home (Spanish).

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Crest and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.