I almost skipped the Sunday Scribblings prompt this week! That would be sad, because it is such a favorite weekly tradition. But, Sports?? I sat thinking, do I talk about How spastic I was during every school year in gym class? Like the sad song seventeen... I was ALWAYS chosen last for volleyball, although it wasn't sad or mean.. the girls just laughed at me knowing I was so spastic and short and said.. OH NO! We got Lu! Then I contemplated talking about how,
In a house FULL of testosterone, you would think I was surrounded by Sports, but Nope.. my husband and three sons are NOT interested in playing sports, talking sports, watching sports or even gambling on sports! I honestly think it is genetic. My father in law could care less for them too. When my kids were small my husband TRIED SO MUCH, to break the mold and get into sports for the sake of the kids. He played basketball with them and baseball. He Tried watching the big football games. Maybe the kids sensed that his heart wasn't truly into it, because they tried a lot, Soccer teams, Basketball teams and baseball teams, but they never graduated past one or two seasons.. they were just not into it. (it is in the blood, I swear!)
What I want to talk about is this....
From what i see out there from all the kids that DO love sports.... I think sports are such a beneficial part of a persons life. The kids that love sports are getting great exercise. They are meeting other kids with the same interest which can lead to lifelong friendships. They are getting fresh air, discipline, sportsmanship and warding off the dangers of boredom. It is also a great way for parents to meet parents. So many of my friends and clients have dear friends that they met through soccer or baseball with their kids. I feel like I was out of that loop and I am regretful. But I was never one to FORCE my kids to do something. Encourage, OH! Absolutely!!
one good example was when i had my youngest enrolled in T-ball. He played that whole season and seemed to really enjoy it... At the end of the season, he looked at me and Said Please don't join me up next year. Next year they THORW the ball at You. So what did silly Mama do? I practiced throwing the ball to him and then...
yep, I joined him up anyway, trying to encourage the love of the game and banish his fear.
The very First day of practice my 6 yr. old son cried and didn't want to go.. Smart little guy with the good memory said.. I told you last time I DON'T want to play this game! There was No way, I would 'make him' go. Many friends told me i should have, but just like I couldn't 'force feed' them foods they gagged on, I wasted the registration fee and let him relinquish his hat and bat...
Never one to give up when My feelings about something are strong... I never gave up hope. I urged and encouraged and I DID manage to get my eldest son to join track in high school and my middle son to join the swim team. Not only did these experiences bring about all the beneficial results I listed above, it was also a wonderful way to become better acquainted with the high school before school began their freshman year. They had to go for practices in the summer and they were able to bond with upperclassmen and form the brotherhood that teams are known for. As positive as an experience as it was for them, that was unfortunately the end of organized sports for this family... (well, SO FAR! I refuse to dismiss the possibility that my future grandkids may escape the spastic gene!)
2 weeks ago
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13 comments:
Oh you're sweet. I personally think you did the right thing - I wouldn't have forced him to play either. I don't think there's anything wrong with requiring kids to try it out, but once that's done and they still don't like it, chuck it. IMHO, that is. :)
You can take a kid to soccer but you can't make him play. Ha. I never could do stuff like that, my kids tried really hard but... - there must be an abundance of that gene!
Quite right. Forcing kids to do anything like this is counter-productive. And no, I'm not really into sports either.
Lucy, I am pleased to see so many others with writing on this prompt say much the same as I think about sport. The media makes out that we should all be super heroes when it comes to sport but in reality there are very very few of us that ever are.
I'm glad you didn't skip this one! Your post is so funny and entertaining!
I am guilty of "forcing" the boys to see a season through. Actually, of doing two seasons. Youngest has ditched baseball after two years of T-ball. Doesn't want the next level. He's played two seasons of soccer and loves it. He is on his first season of basketball and loves it. Eldest did five years of baseball and hated the last year of it. I think he's into his seventh year of soccer and enjoys it, but won't go beyond playing recreationally. Daughter is the anti-sport. But dance, dance, dance, dance she does. I think she's in the best shape of them all.
I almost skipped this prompt too, but in the end I gave it my best. Yours though is really good and a great read.
I'm glad is was not just me that had a hard time of at school, sport was not my thing. It was terrible at the time but now I've written about for Scribbles it seems quite funny!
We are not a sports-inclined family either ... and, I think that's just fine! Hope you and your sweetie had a fun Valentine's weekend! Love, Deb
What a great post about sports. I should do SS this week. My daughter has only played 2 seasons of sports, ever. One was soccer, with her brother, when she was in 3rd grade, and yesterday was her last basketball game for her one and only season of that. She tried hard. Now, my son loves sports. I wish he'd do more, just for the physical activity.
Sorry to take up so much comment space. We have to catch up!
Absolutely. I regret not playing basketball beyond 9th grade. And never playing high school football. But we were 0-10 my junior year. It was hard to get motivated to go out for that, you know? :)
The "Next year they throw the ball at you" is priceless. lol
Too many parents push sports. There are many other interests to make kids team players. I vowed to never be a sports widow again. Happily I met Dave. ;) HUGS
I wrote a whole post to answer this but never finished it! I still may post it next week and link to this!
Hugs Sherrie
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