Parents involvement in school sports

[Anonymous]

DC is trying out for a fall sport. This will be our first experience with high school sports.
So far, we have received three parent meeting invitations for the sport. These are for different events, not all the same meeting. Some might be social events and one seems like it might be a fund raiser or something.
Is this normal? I would think by high school the child just goes to the sport without heavy parental involvement. I could see if it was a travel team but this is a regular school sport.

[Anonymous]

You can choose how involved you want to be.

My kid plays a sport and I’m not super involved, but some parents are.

Do what works for you and your kid.

[Anonymous]

I think it differs by sport but a lot of them do seem to rely heavily on parent volunteers. DD swam so of course volunteers were needed to time. That was the main thing.

OTOH the level of parent volunteer involvement for marching band has been really high due to having a lot more trips and costs to manage, equipment to move, costumes, etc. I could see some sports with more “stuff” being more similar to that in terms of parent needs.

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised you’ve received so many invites since tryouts haven’t happened. Or is it a no-cut team? For soccer there was one parent meeting at the start. We were asked to join boosters, volunteer for a team job (manager, booster club, snack bar, banquet, etc) and volunteer to host a team dinner. Also, we did carpool kids to/from games since we had no bus transportation. All this was really fine but I was not thrilled about team dinners and was able to avoid that one (very small house and son didn’t want me to host). Fortunately there were enough other parents who stepped up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised you’ve received so many invites since tryouts haven’t happened. Or is it a no-cut team? For soccer there was one parent meeting at the start. We were asked to join boosters, volunteer for a team job (manager, booster club, snack bar, banquet, etc) and volunteer to host a team dinner. Also, we did carpool kids to/from games since we had no bus transportation. All this was really fine but I was not thrilled about team dinners and was able to avoid that one (very small house and son didn’t want me to host). Fortunately there were enough other parents who stepped up.

Host dinners at your house? This is crazy!!
Our school did have a meeting for all parents even though tryout haven't happened yet but it was very on point and good info to know for all.

[Anonymous]

Last year was our first experience with HS sports. There was a parent meeting the spring prior (fall sport), an early summer combine event, and a picnic mid-summer right at the start of training camp.

But it got crazy during the season. I:
- sold food and/or spirit wear during the JV and Varsity Games
-baked a ton for homecoming
-provided items for team meals before each game
-served team meals
-worked on the field (chains for football)
- provided food for end of year banquet

This was 1000% more involvement than MS sports where all I had to do was show up for games.

It also depends on the sport. My son is just starting HS this year (he played as an 8th grader last year) and I have a feeling that his other sports (track and wrestling) will probably be lighter on parent requirements than football. Or maybe I am just hopeful.

Welcome to HS sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised you’ve received so many invites since tryouts haven’t happened. Or is it a no-cut team? For soccer there was one parent meeting at the start. We were asked to join boosters, volunteer for a team job (manager, booster club, snack bar, banquet, etc) and volunteer to host a team dinner. Also, we did carpool kids to/from games since we had no bus transportation. All this was really fine but I was not thrilled about team dinners and was able to avoid that one (very small house and son didn’t want me to host). Fortunately there were enough other parents who stepped up.

Host dinners at your house? This is crazy!!
Our school did have a meeting for all parents even though tryout haven't happened yet but it was very on point and good info to know for all.

My kid played two sports last year and I have NEVER hosted a dinner at my house.

However, I do know that my neighbor's kid ran XC and they did host a pasta dinner the night before meets.

FWIW, we're at a lower-income HS (not a W).

[Anonymous]

Competitive HS sports need support beyond getting your kid to and from practice. Some parents are really into it. Some get their kids to and from practice. Figure out what works for you and leave the sweating to your kid.

[Anonymous]

I don't like the "purely social" aspects either. I understand and welcome volunteering for tasks that directly support the team. But, I think the social stuff that seems to have come about recently is an extension of helicopter parenting.
Your child's high school sports career is not a chance for you to make friends. It's not a chance for you to relive your high school career. It's your chance to sit on your hands and watch your child take their first steps at achieving something or being part of something without your close involvement.