You know, I am wondering what we, as parents, really want when we put our kids into the many sports, after school programs, etc. Is it to be active, to make friends, to learn to play nice with others? I would love to think so, but with how competitive human nature is, it is probably not true. I wonder if I am failing my kids because I am not putting them into every single sport I can, as that seems to be the trend. If the kids want it, then yes, they should be in it. But what happens when the kid really does not want to play, but have no choice? Maybe this is coming from the fact that I wasn't in sports and it could be that I just never found that fit when it came to sports. Sports for me consisted of socializing, and let me tell ya, I am pretty good at that, or at least was. Obviously we do not want our children to be lazy, but when is a good time to really start all the activities? It seems we start them so early, in my opinion, that they begin to lose that part of them that are children and focus more on the competitive side. Not saying this as a judgmental deal. Each parent has a right to do what they think is best for their children, but I personally believe that they need to experience more of the mundane, fun things that they can do, more so than learning how to be the best in a sport before they even reach the age of 10, unless that is the child's choice. My kids know that they will have to pick a sport and stick with it all through middle school and high school. Don't care what that sport is, but I want them to do that. Not because I want them to have that scholarship or go professional. I want them to be active in something, as they are more like me than I would like to admit. I want them to learn more about being on a team and what that means. I don't care if they are the best. Only care that they do their best. But seriously, before that becomes a part of who they are, I want them to enjoy being a kid, with very little responsibilities besides that of chores. We become adults too quickly and forget that there was a time, when everything was so simple and easy. Where life was fun and exciting. When sports become all the children know and understand and for whatever reason, they cannot do them anymore, what happens to them? Life ends for them, at least for awhile.
So here is my point in all the babbling. I believe we need to let children be children, even for just a little while. 18 years, out of a good 75 years of a life, is all we get for being a kid, before we are pushed into a world most are not ready for and do not completely understand. If sports are important, then by all means, teach them that, but also ensure they know that sports are to be fun, entertaining, and a big learning experience. There is no harm in enjoying the sport, but there is when a sport becomes more than just having fun and playing a game, especially in children who are so, so young. Competition is not what life is about. Life is about living and enjoying what is around us and what we are doing with those lives. To me, competition takes the fun out of living.
(just a reminder, this is not a judgmental piece. I am not in any way pointing fingers. This is my reasoning on why my children aren't in every sport imaginable. Am I right? For my family, yes, but then, it might be that one day my own children will think I was wrong. So who knows. :-D)
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