How much is too much for kids sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

What’s not healthy about it if the kids are having fun? It’s not about being elite athletes for many, it’s just an active, social and fun way to experience childhood.

There's also a fair amount of abuse by coaches that is tolerated at the more extreme end of kid sports fanaticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

So which extracurriculars meet your standards for being worthwhile?

Theater kids spend hours at rehearsals, vocal lessons, etc. Most of them won’t make it to Broadway.

Band kids spend hours practicing instruments, taking private lessons, etc. My husband was very involved with a musical group that involved traveling out of state a few times per year (he has find memories of this). But most people aren’t going to sell out arenas.

I mean, there are so many activities that people do for the passion of it, not because some end goal of being “elite.” And yes, activities that take a lot of time cost money because outside of county subsidized rec programs, which are good for beginners/casual players, there are expenses with getting coaches/teachers and equipment.

It seems like there’s a weird subset of people on this board who just hate sports though because this riles people up more than any other kid activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

What’s not healthy about it if the kids are having fun? It’s not about being elite athletes for many, it’s just an active, social and fun way to experience childhood.

There's also a fair amount of abuse by coaches that is tolerated at the more extreme end of kid sports fanaticism.

That’s not who you were talking about though. You had an issue with the “majority of kidsprots parents” being “fleeced for big bucks”. If the kids are having fun and the parents can afford it and support them, what’s your issue? We all know it’s not the potential for coach abuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Agree. It’s so dumb. But why do the vast majority of moms following the dumb line to gymnastics/competitive dance? Nearly all moms are lining up to enroll their kid at 3. Is it seen at the feminine ideal sport? Really, what is it?

Cheer, dance are feminine and the boys like that more.

V ball and tennis are also appropriately feminine. The outfits are agreeable and attractive too.

Just ask anyone in the south. Cheer, dance, gymnastics, vball, or tennis are where it’s att. Then go marry the best baseball boy who goes pro.

I mean…seems true. Seems like most moms are in line to enroll their daughter in dance and/or gymnastics the second they are old enough.

You realize that options are limited for 3-4 yr old girls right? There isn't a volleyball or lacrosse team for them. They might find a co-ed t-ball team but again, there isn't that much so that's where it starts.

My three year old tried co ed t ball and soccer and hated them, but the minute we put her in “creative movement” (pre ballet), she was joyful. She stuck with ballet for the next fifteen years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Agree. It’s so dumb. But why do the vast majority of moms following the dumb line to gymnastics/competitive dance? Nearly all moms are lining up to enroll their kid at 3. Is it seen at the feminine ideal sport? Really, what is it?

Cheer, dance are feminine and the boys like that more.

V ball and tennis are also appropriately feminine. The outfits are agreeable and attractive too.

Just ask anyone in the south. Cheer, dance, gymnastics, vball, or tennis are where it’s att. Then go marry the best baseball boy who goes pro.

I mean…seems true. Seems like most moms are in line to enroll their daughter in dance and/or gymnastics the second they are old enough.

You realize that options are limited for 3-4 yr old girls right? There isn't a volleyball or lacrosse team for them. They might find a co-ed t-ball team but again, there isn't that much so that's where it starts.

My three year old tried co ed t ball and soccer and hated them, but the minute we put her in “creative movement” (pre ballet), she was joyful. She stuck with ballet for the next fifteen years.

+1, my kid was meh on soccer but loved ballet and gymnastics. These activities can have downsides but they are avoidable if you are thoughtful about it. Like we went to a ballet studio that offered some tap and jazz but was focused on learning ballet, with one annual recital. NOT a school with a competition team where travel and buying costumes all the time was part of the culture. With gymnastics, we just did rec. Joining a private gym and trying to become competitive wasn't part of the plan. She also does swim but only in the summer.

If DD had love lacrosse or soccer, we would have done the same -- rec sports or school based teams, but no travel sports. It's too expensive and takes up too much time. We wanted to balance activities against school and socializing. I have always felt the key to my DD's well being was balance. She will have time to specialize and focus on passions in HS and college, and as an adult. Childhood should not be about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

I don’t have hyperactive kids they have normal energy. My dd did one ballet class at 3 and gradually increased classes, auditioned for an exclusive school and never looked back.

It’s the parents who have six year olds traveling to play sport that causes burnout. Them and the parent insist their kids play two travel sports.

[Anonymous]

Sports is too much when it interferes with sleep needs and/or social needs. Meaning they never have time to hang out with non-sports friends or attend birthday parties, etc. and/or they get home so late that it reduces their sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

I don’t have hyperactive kids they have normal energy. My dd did one ballet class at 3 and gradually increased classes, auditioned for an exclusive school and never looked back.

It’s the parents who have six year olds traveling to play sport that causes burnout. Them and the parent insist their kids play two travel sports.

But people are slamming people for trying dance. In my experience its because people with active girls find something they can do at a young age. They almost all try dance at first and some will stick with it and many will move on to other sports as they age into them. It's not some diabolical plan to force girls into dance and ignoring other options. There just aren't a lot of options at the earliest age when people are looking for activities. It's all dance and Little Gym type stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

I don’t have hyperactive kids they have normal energy. My dd did one ballet class at 3 and gradually increased classes, auditioned for an exclusive school and never looked back.

It’s the parents who have six year olds traveling to play sport that causes burnout. Them and the parent insist their kids play two travel sports.

At least be honest. Dance has just as much burnout and turnover. There's a reason Dance Moms became a thing, dance isn't better than soccer or basketball, same parents, just different activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

So which extracurriculars meet your standards for being worthwhile?

Theater kids spend hours at rehearsals, vocal lessons, etc. Most of them won’t make it to Broadway.

Band kids spend hours practicing instruments, taking private lessons, etc. My husband was very involved with a musical group that involved traveling out of state a few times per year (he has find memories of this). But most people aren’t going to sell out arenas.

I mean, there are so many activities that people do for the passion of it, not because some end goal of being “elite.” And yes, activities that take a lot of time cost money because outside of county subsidized rec programs, which are good for beginners/casual players, there are expenses with getting coaches/teachers and equipment.

It seems like there’s a weird subset of people on this board who just hate sports though because this riles people up more than any other kid activity.

Nailed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

I don’t have hyperactive kids they have normal energy. My dd did one ballet class at 3 and gradually increased classes, auditioned for an exclusive school and never looked back.

It’s the parents who have six year olds traveling to play sport that causes burnout. Them and the parent insist their kids play two travel sports.

But people are slamming people for trying dance. In my experience its because people with active girls find something they can do at a young age. They almost all try dance at first and some will stick with it and many will move on to other sports as they age into them. It's not some diabolical plan to force girls into dance and ignoring other options. There just aren't a lot of options at the earliest age when people are looking for activities. It's all dance and Little Gym type stuff.

I have no dog in this race, but can’t young girls play soccer, do Scouts/Girl Scouts/Brownies, play an instrument, Little League/Tball, just as the boys do? I don’t think dance is the only activity open to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

Kids are starting organized sports too early and too many. If a kid is starting at 3 or 4 that means the parent chose the sport.

Earlier doesn’t mean a better player. There’s no reason 7 year old need to be traveling.

Parents are looking for enrichment for active 3-4 yr olds. If you didn’t have a high energy kid you couldn’t possibly understand.

I don’t have hyperactive kids they have normal energy. My dd did one ballet class at 3 and gradually increased classes, auditioned for an exclusive school and never looked back.

It’s the parents who have six year olds traveling to play sport that causes burnout. Them and the parent insist their kids play two travel sports.

But people are slamming people for trying dance. In my experience its because people with active girls find something they can do at a young age. They almost all try dance at first and some will stick with it and many will move on to other sports as they age into them. It's not some diabolical plan to force girls into dance and ignoring other options. There just aren't a lot of options at the earliest age when people are looking for activities. It's all dance and Little Gym type stuff.

I have no dog in this race, but can’t young girls play soccer, do Scouts/Girl Scouts/Brownies, play an instrument, Little League/Tball, just as the boys do? I don’t think dance is the only activity open to them.

Because moms love putting their daughters in tights, makeup, and sequins. It’s dress up with a live doll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

If kids want to play sports and parents are I'm a position to let them, that's great. As long as it's fun that is. But, we, general we, need to stop acting like it's some catastrophe if kids don't play sports or stop playing them.