Missing out on childhood for tournaments, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to think like you until my kid upped their commitment to their sport at 11, joining the travel baseball life. It is what he lives and breathes. Conveniently, all of his middle school friends also participate on travel teams, so everyone understands the limitations that come with it. He still goes to birthday parties, social events, etc; it's just that practices/games/tournaments come first.

I can see that if the friend group is part travel team kids and part rec team kids, that could be confusing for those not living the life. But my kid loves it and wouldn't trade it for anything. Such is life.

No you love it. Your kid does not know any thing else.

Not PP but I am not a sports person. My kids are. There are other things they love, too, but the parents are definitely not pushing the sports thing in our house. It all started because they asked for it.

[Anonymous]

It isn't missing out on childhood, it is just a different version of it.

Some of my DD's favorite childhood memories are hotels with friends for tournaments, swimming in the pool, practice, etc... and it made her who she is today learning hard work and dedication.

[Anonymous]

I hate sports and the activities my child has chosen but I love them and will support their interests. And, exercise is always good. It seems bizarre that you choose no activities for your kids and expect others to do the same so they are available to go to a once a year or once a lifetime birthday party, which you only invite a handful of kids to so there is no guarantee a child will even be invited. If you want a particular child to go, you reach out to the parents to see the child's schedule to work around it. Simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate sports and the activities my child has chosen but I love them and will support their interests. And, exercise is always good. It seems bizarre that you choose no activities for your kids and expect others to do the same so they are available to go to a once a year or once a lifetime birthday party, which you only invite a handful of kids to so there is no guarantee a child will even be invited. If you want a particular child to go, you reach out to the parents to see the child's schedule to work around it. Simple.[/quote

Why do you assume that the parents are choosing no activities for their kids? Maybe they are just going with less intense activities or maybe the kids don't want to do activities. Unless you plan on forcing your kids to do activities, some kids just don't want them. You can have a great childhood and become a successful, functional adult without them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate sports and the activities my child has chosen but I love them and will support their interests. And, exercise is always good. It seems bizarre that you choose no activities for your kids and expect others to do the same so they are available to go to a once a year or once a lifetime birthday party, which you only invite a handful of kids to so there is no guarantee a child will even be invited. If you want a particular child to go, you reach out to the parents to see the child's schedule to work around it. Simple.[/quote

Why do you assume that the parents are choosing no activities for their kids? Maybe they are just going with less intense activities or maybe the kids don't want to do activities. Unless you plan on forcing your kids to do activities, some kids just don't want them. You can have a great childhood and become a successful, functional adult without them.

Sometimes it’s parents refusing, sometimes the kids. But, for kids that enjoy them and made the commitment, a birthday party does not trump the activity.