Anyone enjoy youth sports but shocked at the politics?

[Anonymous]

We attend a really wealthy, competitive, sports obsessive school and I am a little shocked by the politics of the children’s sports. Especially at the elementary school level. I can’t believe this even exists. I grew up in a rural area so have nothing from my childcare to care it to. We didn’t have travel sports and there were no cuts on teams. Now I realize how great my childhood was compared to this! It’s a lot of money, energy and effort for the same end result. And before iou say you can opt out, when your kid is driving their own involvement and wants to play a bunch of sports and participate in all the camps and teams you want them to also. I love watching youth sports but don’t love all the rest that comes with it.

[Anonymous]

Do individual sports then

[Anonymous]

This area has completely jumped the shark. Parents making comments at tryouts to psych out their kids “friends” to keep the friends off the team. Calling and emailing coaches of 10 year old teams to demand guaranteed playing time. It’s out of control and disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Wait until HS.

My kid won every fitness challenge. He was on a top level team. He’s incredibly coachable, dedicated.

Didn’t stand a chance against coach motives and the level of nepotism and cliques. It was unreal. Screwed an entire class of kids over.

My kid now trains with a pro team and is playing D1. But wanted to cut him- not put him on varsity.

It was insane and then I found out it wasn’t just my kid’s sport but another sport at the school had similar issues, coach fired and kids left the school…kept very quiet. I only knew from a friend after they left the school.

Academically it was a great place and my kids succeeded—but man what psychological bullsh@t some of the non-premier (not basketball or football) sports programs play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This area has completely jumped the shark. Parents making comments at tryouts to psych out their kids “friends” to keep the friends off the team. Calling and emailing coaches of 10 year old teams to demand guaranteed playing time. It’s out of control and disgusting.

I think it’s cute you think this is only happening in “this area” and that this is a new thing.

Do you not remember decades ago that mom and her cheerleader daughter’s rivals?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it can get really bad. Not sure what the solution is- it seems to be everywhere with team sports.

Mostly all runs through the dads. So a “popular father” is the key.

IME x3 kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We attend a really wealthy, competitive, sports obsessive school and I am a little shocked by the politics of the children’s sports. Especially at the elementary school level. I can’t believe this even exists. I grew up in a rural area so have nothing from my childcare to care it to. We didn’t have travel sports and there were no cuts on teams. Now I realize how great my childhood was compared to this! It’s a lot of money, energy and effort for the same end result. And before iou say you can opt out, when your kid is driving their own involvement and wants to play a bunch of sports and participate in all the camps and teams you want them to also. I love watching youth sports but don’t love all the rest that comes with it.

OP, when you start your post with "WE attend a really, wealthy, competitive, sports obsessive school," you identify yourself as part of the problem.

YOU do not attend the school. Your kid(s) do.

Stay out of it. You are fueling this without realizing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This area has completely jumped the shark. Parents making comments at tryouts to psych out their kids “friends” to keep the friends off the team. Calling and emailing coaches of 10 year old teams to demand guaranteed playing time. It’s out of control and disgusting.

I think it’s cute you think this is only happening in “this area” and that this is a new thing.

Do you not remember decades ago that mom and her cheerleader daughter’s rivals?

You remember that because it was unusual.

[Anonymous]

It’s the weekly post bemoaning the state of youth sports by another parent who buy$ into the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Your kid is just not that good

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is just not that good

From a loser who has to suck up to the coach and be his buddy, huh??

I love that stupid excuse.

My kid was scouted professionally and trains off-season with a pro team while playing D1.

That idiotic response is typical of all the parents with suck bag kids there solely due to politics and @ss-kissing.

I never once emailed or contacted a coach, TD, HS official the entire time my kid was playing—even in the face of some pretty ridiculous stuff.

[Anonymous]

Not just sports--almost every kid activity has been ruined by this type of parenting.

[Anonymous]

I raised my kids to care about things that matter. They play sports for fun and exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I raised my kids to care about things that matter. They play sports for fun and exercise.

Sure you did Jan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is just not that good

From a loser who has to suck up to the coach and be his buddy, huh??

I love that stupid excuse.

My kid was scouted professionally and trains off-season with a pro team while playing D1.

That idiotic response is typical of all the parents with suck bag kids there solely due to politics and @ss-kissing.

I never once emailed or contacted a coach, TD, HS official the entire time my kid was playing—even in the face of some pretty ridiculous stuff.

And this is the other side. Parents so heavily invested in winning at all costs they call children names and yell at refs.

Now this PP will say they never yelled at a ref or were the obnoxious parent on the sidelines or in the stands.

After your posts, no one believes you.