I've talked with a lot of parents this weekend about soccer. Mostly because Sam's last game was Saturday, which they won 5-0, and because Sam's coach called and asked if she would be on his competition team in the fall. Now as flattered as we were and as excited as Sam was, I still have my reservations about playing competitive anything at this age. Why do I feel this way? Well, sometimes at this young age, I feel that competition can take the fun out of anything. You often become some consumed with the win, that you forget to enjoy why you were there in the first place.
Many moms feel the same way I do and many feel that it has helped their son/daughter. Apples to apples, there are more practices during the week, more travel time to/from games, and more games. Although I am a big advocate for child exercise, I am worried that going from one practice a week to several at Sam's age is going to wreak havoc on family scheduling. I am lucky b/c Doug & I work well on the divide and conquer thing. Though we often cross in the street and catch dinner on the side 2-3 days week, we do spend lots of fun time with the kids especially since both of us are home now. After all the together time in the RV this summer, it might not matter b/c we'll need some free time, one on one.
I attended the "hyper-parenting" class at Women's conference and made a goal to try and not do that to my kids. I'm not going to sign them up for everything just b/c I want them to learn. I want them to desire to do it themselves. Doug & I also decided one thing at a time, so each kid can pick their favorite thing each season. We hope this will keep our kids active, not couch potatoes, and still better their talent at the same time.
What does everyone else do? This is a hard thing.
Ashlyn also wants everyone to know that she did okay in track this week. She did better her time and again....she wasn't first but she wasn't last. Keep on running, Ash! We're proud of you!
4 comments:
Way to go Sam and Ash. I don't have any advice here but I am proud of the girls. I did enjoy competing in sports when I was young, it made me want to work harder.
Congrats to both Sam and Ash! I loved playing soccer in high school, it was fun. Several people here have their kids on a travel soccer team and they seem to enjoy it.
Raegan told me that she had decided not to try out (we told her she had to choose between soccer and clogging) her reason was that she didn't want to be too busy to where she would have no time for fun. I thought that was pretty good since she came up with it on her own. Soccer is a way good sport especially for physical activity. Raegan has really enjoyed it and has loved getting to know Sam as well.
I played travel soccer here in Vegas my jr/sr year, and it was great. I tell my boys when it comes to sports, as long as they want to do and deserve to play (aren't getting in trouble at school or home etc) I'm happy to support them. It also depends on your schedule. GOOD JOB SAM!!!!
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