Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at

[Anonymous]

Anyone ever dealt with this? Advice please.

DS is amazing at swimming but gets defiant about swimming anymore. I think his tween friends are pressuring him about it because it's not a "cool" sport. On the other hand he plays in a very casual neighborhood basketball league and he loves it. He appears advanced at basketball in this league but only because it's so casual and full of kids who do not take it seriously. Were this a basketball league at the level of his swimming activities, he wouldn't make a team. Now he has delusions about basketball because he thinks he's so good at it and it's a "cooler" sport.

[Anonymous]

He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?

[Anonymous]

Let him play what he likes. Geez.

[Anonymous]

Who cares? Your kid is being active. Thats a win.

[Anonymous]

How great for him that he has found a sport he loves!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?

Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.

[Anonymous]

Get him in water polo

[Anonymous]

You have to let him figure this out on his own. Let him live out his hoop dreams for now

[Anonymous]

He won’t forget how to swim. Let him take a year off to see how basketball goes.

Remember, being the best is not the only reason to play a sport:
-physical activity
-mental health
-teamwork
-cameraderie
-time management
-learning to be coached by different people
-FUN!!!!

I’ll say that last one again—fun! If he’s not having fun swimming, why should he continue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?

Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.

No, I know nothing about higher level teen basketball, so please explain to me the problem with your child having fun, getting exercise, and socializing in "this little local league."

[Anonymous]

Having the specialize in one sport super early so they are "amazing" leads to burn out. That's where you are. He's burned out on swimming.

Why does he need to play basketball at the same level he was swimming? (He doesn't.)

Like all sports, there are a ton of travel basketball teams that will take your money and have him play at the level he's at if your concern is you want this to take up more of his time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?

Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.

Well you might as well give him for adoption and start again. If he can't be a good teen basketball player what's even the point?

[Anonymous]

I grew up playing many sports and was all-star level at several. However, I was best at swimming and could have swum D1. But, I did not love it. My parents, to their credit, never guided me to pick a sport based on my talent. Swimming took a back seat to other sports I enjoyed more, and I never looked back. Grateful I was not pressured to choose based on aptitude.

[Anonymous]

OP people are being a little harsh but seriously, there’s no need to really maximize his athletic potential in any sport.

[Anonymous]

^^PP above. Swimming is different. It’s a solitary sport with lots of time looking at a black line. You have to really love it to do that day in and day out. Let the kid play his team sport.