obssessed with DS' U7 soccer

[Anonymous]

yup i'm describing myself as obsessing with my 6-yo's soccer activities because i just can't get enough of watching him in action. he's one of the top players on his team and scores often so it's really satisfying to watch, to the point that i find myself looking forward to the next practice/game when bored and was sad when we had to miss two games due to conflicts. i even worry days ahead about practice might be canceled due to rain. this is not healthy right? i think this is when someone secretly saying 'get a life' and calling me 'living through children' right?

i know this would pass when he fell back to earth and it wouldn't be as enjoyable (i've watch some HS travel soccer matches and they're boring due to lack of goals), but what do i do about it right now? one thing i'm doing right is i've refrained myself from showing him how passionate i am in his 'success' on the field...

thoughts?

[Anonymous]

get a life. You are way too obsessed and if this continues you will be one of those parents banned from your son's games when you start yelling at the refs when they give your kid a yellow card.

There is a reason that HS games are low scoring. All the kids on the team know how to play, there is a real goalie and the kids are strong, big and fast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:get a life. You are way too obsessed and if this continues you will be one of those parents banned from your son's games when you start yelling at the refs when they give your kid a yellow card.

There is a reason that HS games are low scoring. All the kids on the team know how to play, there is a real goalie and the kids are strong, big and fast

is this figuratively speaking or do they really ban parents from their children's games?!

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/20/AR2009042003542.html

Parents banned. Not unique to Bethesda, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

A parent (from the other team) was red carded at a game my DS was in a couple of years ago. This was for 12 year olds. That meant he couldn't come to the next game.

[Anonymous]

My kids are older (although i do have a 7 year old too) and our fall and spring seasons revolve around soccer games and soccer practices. You might be headed toward travel program so you should read up on some lengthy posts on DCUM.

I get anxious before games because there is so much that can get messed up (these are travel games where getting lost is common despite the best prep). I hate being late and having forgotten something critical but its always worth it because there's nothing greater than seeing your kid have a great moment on the field. The parents are fun and its great comradery overall. So i'm hoping you can transfer your enjoyment into being a good sports parent.

You should also check out the Positive coaching alliance programs and booklets. They are very good and help you to focus your energies as a parent on the right end game. I read this: http://www.balancesportspublishing.com/PositiveSportsParenting/tabid/1001/Default.aspx
and thought it was very helpful.

[Anonymous]

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/6/1242

You might also want to read this report on Overuse injuries and burnout among athletes especially ones that play one sport year round.

[Anonymous]

Is this travel or rec?

My son's been playing for 10 years. (Sixth year of travel.) It's great to have passion like this. Please respect the coach and the refs. And don't gloat. And know that your child my peak young. You really don't know how far they're going to go until they're older. A star at seven isn't a shoo-in an academy slot at U-15.

What jumps out at me is your worrying that practice will be canceled. That's extreme! Games are one thing. But practice? At U-6? At least you're examining your obsession. I trust you will find/keep perspective!

[Anonymous]

P.S. The best travel teams are getting 120 or more players at tryouts at U-9. Do not freak if your son makes the B team!

[Anonymous]

OP: I wound not assume that your son does not pick up on your obsession. This cannot be good for him- or you.

[Anonymous]

17:37 here. As you get to know the game better, you will probably realize a low scoring game can be very exciting. The game is all about possibility.

[Anonymous]

Oh my parents were like you. I don't have a relationship with them now...

[Anonymous]

are you the parent on my DC's team who is unable to cheer for anyone other than your DS? unable to say hurray if a child other than your DS' scores a goal?

[Anonymous]

So you've already missed 2 games this season? And there have been probably 4 games? So are you basing this on 2 games? One thing you will learn if he sticks with it is that soccer needs to be priority #1. No missing practices and games (until you get the HS and then there needs to be a balance between the travel/academy team and the HS team, with the HS team usually being the priority).

It's great you are enthusiastic about the game. It's a great sport for kids to be involved in. But at 6 it is really still learning the basics. I think I heard that it isn't until about 11 or 12 that they can really start using soccer strategies and seeing ahead a play. Do they really keep score at 6 now? When my DS played at that age in Stoddert there was no official scoring and I think they were playing with no goalie so scoring was not that big a deal.

[Anonymous]

I'm laughing at your post OP b/c I feel like I have a similar problem, although it's not soccer. Part of it is we've met other parents who we've become friendly with through our kids so it really has been social for us as well as the kids. Part of it is I'm surprised that my kid is turning out to have aptitude for something. I wouldn't worry that there's something wrong or weird because I think a lot of people feel the way you do. I'd keep it under wraps though and just obsess quietly, or anonymously on DCUM. Some people get upset if they think you're bragging about your child.