Anonymous wrote:What do people like about weekend soccer? I grew up in an unathletic family, so it's very foreign to me, though I know that some of my neighbors have signed their kids up for soccer since they were three years old. We've been much more laid back on extra curriculars thus far.

Is it really worth giving up our rare free Saturday mornings to join a league like Stoddert so my almost-six year old can stumble over a ball for a few hours? Am I a bad mom for saying no to the pressure to join the school's team?

If I asked my kid, I bet the answer would be "yes, I want to do it." But that's the answer to everything, when in reality, after the long school week, kid loves to stay in PJs and play with home toys until 10am. Not my idea of a fun time to struggle out the door one more day, dragging the toddler along, too. So if you do soccer, tell me, what's great about it?

What I get out of this is YOU don't want to do it and you are trying to rationalize inaction.

You are a bad mom because you are lazy not because you are bravely "resisting pressure".

We do it for these reasons:
-our child shows an interest and asked for it. We choose a something he likes and something we like
-team building skills
-learn to play fairly with people he doesn't know

Do I like waking up so early on the weekends? It depends. If you are not an early morning person (especially on weekends), than it would be a struggle for you. So, I send my spouse to do it. But, sometimes I like watching my kiddo kick around and see how he interacts with other kids.

I think it is soccer played on a Saturday morning?

Saturday is the last day of the week.
Morning is shortly after sunrise.
Soccer is a game where you try to navigate a ball into a net using your feet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids love sports and being active. Not that complicated.

But why, oh why, do people "love sports"? What exactly do you mean with that? Why not "being active" playing online games? Can someone explain sports to me? TIA

Unlesss it's Pokemon Go, no online game is really "active."

Don't do something that you personally hate just for the kid's sake. They will sense your resentment and it is unsustainable for the long term.
We were out the door every Saturday morning for Suzuki violin while our neighbors ran off to soccer. I loved the music and listening to my kids play music and I loved the diverse group of parents who had kids doing music. Former college athletes who were competitive about little kids sports? Not so much. These were not people I would have befriended under other circumstances nor were they the people I could picture surrounding myself with as a community as I raised my children. Think about what you truly enjoyed most when you were young -- I loved scouts and loved volunteering with scouts as an adult. My kids joke that I loved Girl Scouts more than they did! It might be true! We all loved swim team. We loved youth orchestra. But don't drag yourself through something just because everyone else is doing it. Find something that nourishes your soul and brings you into contact with activities and people that you love.

Anonymous wrote:I hate weekend classes or practices and try very hard to avoid them. We are so busy all week and down time is important. A perfect Saturday for is Lounging in pjs, watching some cartoons, making pancakes and going for a long walk that includes the playground and the library.

But DD is 7 now and it's getting harder and harder. If she wants to do an activity with Saturday classes or practices I let her. But we don't seek them out.

Don't you want her to play a sport or do some type of activity? If she doesn't start now, how will she make the team when it actually does get competitive and they can't keep everyone who wants to play?

You really need to ask this? Exercise, friendship, socialization, acclimation with things like authority, discipline, and structure, knowledge of the rules of the sport, experience with the sport, and gee I don't know, FUN???

Don't do it if you don't want to but don't excuse your laziness by thinking it's not worthwhile for the kids.

Why drag the toddler? If you have a spouse then split up. It's only 60-min plus the commute and hanging time with friends and their parents.

I hate weekend classes or practices and try very hard to avoid them. We are so busy all week and down time is important. A perfect Saturday for is Lounging in pjs, watching some cartoons, making pancakes and going for a long walk that includes the playground and the library.

But DD is 7 now and it's getting harder and harder. If she wants to do an activity with Saturday classes or practices I let her. But we don't seek them out.

And as a bonus OP you get to meet all kinds of awesome moms just like the ones responding here!

Can't speak to Stoddard because we live in NOVA, but I'd consider giving it a try for one season. My son is not a super sporty guy, but he has had fun on his rec soccer league for the past two years (U6 and U7). It's outdoors, you run around, you get to know some new kids, and he has been able to transfer some of the skills he learned to join in at soccer games at recess at school. It's not that much of a time commitment, and he's outdoors running around with kids.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for the replies so far, particularly the non snarky ones! We hike almost every Sunday and do an outdoors activity (bikes, playground, swimming, etc.) Saturday late morning and afternoon, so I'm not worried about couch potato problems. I don't think my oldest could sit still on a couch for more then ten minutes!

I hadn't thought much about friendships since it seems like it'll be the same kids as at school, but I'm starting to get that Saturday soccer could create special bonds. And the teamwork aspect is nice. All our athletics so far are pretty individual.

Would love to hear more opinions! If we sign up for Stoddard, are we expected to be there every week?

There is very little time at school to create a relationship and like all things in this world, it is easier to just hang out with the kids you know. Kids don't think, wow.... I need to form more relationships on the playground.

Of course you could just invite a group of kids to go hiking/playground/swimming with you on the weekends.

It's kind of nice for kids to do sports where the parents are not involved.

Soccer is fun, the kids learn some skills, meet kids outside of their own school, and learn to manage their time. Typical rec soccer involves one practice during the week in the evening, and a game on Saturday. There are a couple weekend tournaments typically as well.

Anonymous wrote:You are going to get replies from a lot of people who love team sports so I'll answer first, since I feel the same as you and have an older child. He doesn't like soccer but does other sports that involve practices and weekend games.

I waited until he wanted to and didn't pressure him. As they get older, they don't want to hang out with their parents all weekend. Sports provide activity and social interaction. He has met his best friends through sports, not school.

I'm signing my younger child up for soccer this fall. She's almost 6, only because she has asked repeatedly. There will be plenty of time for team sports later. Don't feel pressured to do this until your child asks if you don't want to.

Op again. Thanks for this perspective! I should be thankful that we're still happy to hang as a family, but you're right that soon friends will be much more enticing!

Op here. Thanks for the replies so far, particularly the non snarky ones! We hike almost every Sunday and do an outdoors activity (bikes, playground, swimming, etc.) Saturday late morning and afternoon, so I'm not worried about couch potato problems. I don't think my oldest could sit still on a couch for more then ten minutes!

I hadn't thought much about friendships since it seems like it'll be the same kids as at school, but I'm starting to get that Saturday soccer could create special bonds. And the teamwork aspect is nice. All our athletics so far are pretty individual.

Would love to hear more opinions! If we sign up for Stoddard, are we expected to be there every week?