With all the Olympics coverage, my kids are really interested in sports right now. Unfortunately, Robert would like to take up rowing. I'm not really sure where he can train in the middle of the desert, but I'll look into that. They're liking beach volleyball too, but I don't think there are any beaches nearby. Xander thinks gymnastics look fun and judging from his dance skills on Fourth of July, he's a natural!
(Sorry, can't figure out how to embed from photobucket, just click the link)
The funny thing is that when they're young, sport sound fun and exciting. And the practices aren't demanding and every gets a trophy, YAY! But, as they get older, they find out what sport are REALLY like. And that it's work and dedication. And sometimes you're not that good or at least not the best. And sometimes you make errors and sometimes your team looses. Right around that time, they decide they don't want to play anymore. It's not FUN anymore.
But, we don't let them quit. Call us mean. Call us heartless or unfairly motivated. But, we require each child to play A sport every year. I don't care what sport it is, but they have to play an organized sport every year. They can change sports every year. They can pick an individual sport or a team sport, but they must play something.
I have a lot of reasons why I feel this way. First off, I never played sports. Not for my lack of wanting to, but it wasn't really encouraged in our house. By the time the decision was mine to make (high school) a lot of the kids had already played sports for years. And when I tried out I sucked, BIG TIME. And I missed out on the camaraderie of the team and the feeling of competition. And I'm really sad about that as an adult now.
Also, I think it's obvious that this country has serious health issues. And I want my kids to know sports as an everyday part of life. So that they stay healthy. And that it's not such a struggle as an adult.
Thirdly, I think kids learn a lot of life skills from sports. They learn about teamwork and dedication and discipline. They learn to push themselves to the limit. They learn to deal with teammates they may not like, but have to work with toward a common goal. They learn that they won't always be the best and they learn to deal with defeat.
For these reasons we stress sports as an important part of growing up. Over the years Carissa has played: soccer, Tball and gymnastics. This year she tried out for the middle school volleyball team and made team B1 (out of 66 girls)! Finally it seems as though she's found something she likes. She doesn't complain or beg not to go to practice. I think she's finally seeing what it's like to be part of a team and she likes it. She's also going out for Track in the Spring because she's got legs a mile long and is always beating her teammates when they warm up. I think it's great that she's doing one team sport and one individual sport. I hope that she sticks with it and appreciates all those years that we made her do SOMETHING. Because until now, she's hated going to practice and hated every minute of it.
Robert has already found his niche. Baseball. It's the only sport he plays and he likes it. He's played since he was 3. He shows no interest in anything else and that's just fine.
Xander is starting soccer in a few weeks. It'll be interesting. He says that "the Pittsburgh Steelers are my team, but soccer is my sport". Don't know if he understands, but he's excited. And if he doesn't like it we'll try something else. Maybe he will end up doing gymnastics.
So, how do you feel about sports?
Well I agree with you 110% about kids & sports. I played sports until highschool when I got a job. I think it was great. Sure, sometimes it was hard, and got in the way of things I wanted to do more, but those are the times that taught me that I had a commitment and my team was counting on me because I had a role! It used to make me SO angry when we would encourage my stepdaughter to get involved in something (bowling was the best we could get her to do) and then her mother wouldn't follow through to get her there or whatever and then allowed her to quit in the middle. Caden starts Tball in Oct and I'm SO excited. I certainly won't expect much from my 3 year old, but he will finish the season and if he decides he doesn't want to do it again, then we'll move onto something else!
Oh and Xander... So So funny dancing! A couple times I thought he was going to get tangled up in his legs!!! lol
Posted by: Andrea | August 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
see, I never liked playing, myself. I tried softball. I got too nervous at bat. Then I discovered the flute. And fell in love. I was in the band from 6th grade all the way through 12th. I got a piccolo, and then joined a drum and fife corps as well. Everything you described about sports, I found in band. I will grant you, it is not the most physically strenuous activity, but there is value to it, as well. Mustang Girl is not a sport person, either. She likes Cross Country, and may well do that this next year, but we shall see...
Posted by: mielikki | August 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Those are really good thoughts! Mark and I both participated in sports through elementary/middle school, and then made a switch to marching band, which was fairly high exertion as well, and had the same elements of teamwork, commitment, discipline, etc.
We definitely want to try out different extra-curriculars with our kids while they're young (music, art, sports) and see what they pick up and run with. Those things were some of the highlights of my childhood! :)
Posted by: Laura | August 22, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Well, I do agree that it's important for kids to be involved and active. I don't agree that they have to do sports. I am not athletic. I would've hated doing any type of sport. I was however in band all through middle school and high school an into college. I loved it and I was good at it.
For our kids, we will definitely require they be involved in something, but not necessarily sports. It can be sports if they want, or chorus, or newspaper, or band or whatever.
Elijah would like to run track. But that's not really available for his age. He's gonna start soccer soon, which I've assured him involves lots of running. :) Lincoln already loves baseball and basketball, so I don't think it will be hard to get him into sports.
Posted by: Jessica Moore | August 22, 2008 at 02:18 PM
I should add that we also require them to do one artisic thing each year (band, art, etc.) too. Maybe once they start high school they can make an informed decision to stop playing sports, but at this point we push it so that they actually will HAVE the opportunity in high school, if they so choose.
Posted by: Lori | August 22, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I would like my kids to be involved in something too. I was a band geek in high school and met some of my closest friends. I think it also helps keep them from getting bored and getting in trouble.
Posted by: midwestmommy | August 22, 2008 at 02:43 PM
I say you are on the right track.
I also think kids are less likely to get into trouble the busier they are. :) and school work is usually better because they don't procrastinate so much.
Posted by: Corey~living and loving | August 23, 2008 at 01:25 PM
It is a requirement in my house. I grew up playing every sport and my dad coaching most of the time. This created a wonderful family bond. Since we moved to a college town over a year ago, my kids have been on a swim team. They LOVE it. My son and been so inspired by Michael Phelps this month, especially since he is ADHD.
Posted by: Absurdly Yours | August 23, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I totally agree too. Miss E does basketball after school as well as drama and cricket, and both her and Miss M have swimming lessons.
I really want them to develop the love of sport that I never had and be healthier people. I don't mind if they're good, as long as they enjoy it then I encourage them to stick with it and do their thang.
Posted by: Jo Beaufoix | August 23, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I feel exactly the same way. Although if I had a kid that wasn't athletic at all I would say that you could achieve similar results with a dedication to music, art or theatre.
The point is to learn discipline and commitment. Spending part of every day in physical activity is definitely a must.
Posted by: Jenn @ Juggling Life | August 23, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Very interesting.. from the no kids lady.. I have to say I was forced and I mean dragged kicking and screaming to play sports.
It was humiliting. I was the only 3rd grader with boobs and the boys knew it and when no one was looking they would chase me to see them bounce.
Humiliating. I have two left feet and am not sports inclined in anyway. I made an ass of myself the few minutes I didn't have to sit on the bench. When I begged my parents to stop making me go I was told "Suck it up!"
I am not a fan of forcing children to join sports teams unless they want to.
I watch a lot of sports, just not a participant.
Posted by: bubblewench | August 25, 2008 at 03:39 AM
I have the same attitude as you. Gilda has done ballet and soccer (still doing soccer), and pretty soon she'll be taking piano lessons.
I also like sports because they help wear your kids out, so they sleep better at night!
Posted by: Sybil Law | August 25, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I think organized sports are important. But I hate how everything is so PC nowadays. Everyone wins! Nobody loses! Guess what? Real life isn't that way.
Posted by: In the Trenches of Mommyhood | August 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM