My DD has tried a variety of sports - soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey and will only last maybe 3 weeks before saying she doesn't like it. She likes swimming but is only okay at it and not sure she could even properly swim the entire length of the pool; has tried tennis and doesn't dislike it; and re: track, is generally a slow runner. I just want her to do a sport - not excel at it. I think it would be helpful when acclimating to private high school to participate in something. Any thoughts? Is it too late? |
Why does it need to be a sport? If the goal is acclimating can’t she do that with a club/non sport interest? If the goal is health, why not a gym with teen girl classes? |
Depending on the school, XC can be great for not athletic kids even if slow if they enjoy it.
Golf could work. Maybe dance/gymnastics. Rowing could also work well. As could equestrian but it is expensive around here. |
She doesn't need to do a sport. Making her do a sport when she is unathletic and uninterested will only drive down her confidence and morale. She will be surrounded by girls who have played the sport since they were 3-4-5 years old in many cases. It's too late to take up a varsity sport, OP. She may even have to try out for a spot, and won't make the team.
Who is your daughter? What are HER interests, OP? Have you asked her? If this is about something to put on a college application, just stop already. Help your daughter figure out her interests, don't try to force her to be interested. |
Have her swim more…she’ll improve quickly |
How about a life sport? Rock climbing/bouldering, golf or running. If she isn’t going to put in a lot of effort it’s probably too late for any HS team sports. |
Is she good at diving? And I agree, swimming is something she can improve at IF she wants to. Does she like to dance? Does she LIKE track? |
This is OP. It is not about something to put on a college application. She is can be a little shy and is not very confident athletically. However, I would like her to enjoy some sport but need something that would not kill her confidence because she is not the best at it. She is very smart, gets good grades and loves musical theatre but not all of the schools she has applied to have great or robust theatre programs so I am trying to figure out something else she would enjoy and which would allow her to practice and socialize regularly with a group of girls. |
I wouldn't force a sport - forcing a kid to do a sport in high school that she doesn't know how to play and isn't good at and doesn't like isn't a recipe for making friends. If she likes theater, find her a school that has theater so she can be in activity that she enjoys. |
Try one of the martial arts, maybe Aikido -- generally non-team and non competitive. Or try ballet. |
+1. Find a school with a strong theater program. That's where she's most likely to make friends as they will share that as a common interest. Sports aren't the only way to make friends as a new student. |
How about wrestling? |
I was an unathletic kid and now as an adult I'm not comfortable with many forms of exercise. I'd look for something that can be continued lifelong for fitness. Maybe swim, tennis or running? Girls on the Run is supposed to be a great activity. There are also lots of developmental swim programs where she could work on improving her strokes without pressure.
For socializing, what about something like Irish Dance or fencing? Rec soccer is also popular in our area and no one cares if you're good. Alternative activities like hiking, rock climbing or kayaking may also be good to try. Maybe as part of a scout troop? |
Why? I played sports in school and even played in college, but I still do not understand why everyone tries to make their kid an athlete. Not everyone is an athlete! |
Does she need to take a sport for school requirements? As someone who never played sports myself, it really was pretty terrible for me to have to join sports teams in high school - I came from public school where we did gym but at this high school we had to play sports. There was just no way for me to catch up to kids who'd been playing tennis since they were born, or soccer since their dads started coaching them as toddlers. The other kids were nice enough - but I was a drag, being so bad, and it was not a fun experience for me. It was truly embarrassing. I found my way doing kayaking and hiking and that sort of thing when I got older. But I HATED team sports - and I think having to play them hurt my social life more than helped it, honestly. Cross country could be ok because at least it's solo - but only if your kid actually wants to run. Maybe if they have some intramural clubs or JV teams she can join, that might be all right, I guess. Is there anything that interests HER? |