How important is it for kids to participate in all-consuming sports in terms of their longterm success and well-being?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do a few different rec sports in elementary school. Do NOT to club/travel. That’s when it gets expensive and stressful.

But let your kids try different sports and see what they like, if any. I think sports are good for kids, there are a ton of benefits. Not everyone is crazy into travel sports and all that BS.

This is the way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do a few different rec sports in elementary school. Do NOT to club/travel. That’s when it gets expensive and stressful.

But let your kids try different sports and see what they like, if any. I think sports are good for kids, there are a ton of benefits. Not everyone is crazy into travel sports and all that BS.

This is the way

+1. And also don't think of "sports" narrowly. My parents always assumed I was unathletic because I didn't excel at hand-eye coordination sports like soccer. I am an excellent cyclist and runner.

[Anonymous]

The parents don’t have their own interests or hobbies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do a few different rec sports in elementary school. Do NOT to club/travel. That’s when it gets expensive and stressful.

But let your kids try different sports and see what they like, if any. I think sports are good for kids, there are a ton of benefits. Not everyone is crazy into travel sports and all that BS.

This is the way

+1. This is what we did with DS and now finishing 3rd know what sports he likes. We are not interested in travel sports because it sucks up all your weekends and also is a lot of money which we think are better spent elsewhere. We would only consider it if DS was pushing it himself which he is not, thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. If one is to be good at the sport they have to start early.

DD started when she was 10 and she will never play in college or be able to compete with kids who started at 5.

Some parents hope for college scholarships and for that you have to lean in a lot more.

Perhaps 10 is too late. But startung at 7/8 is just fine.

The rub is that the really good athletes can start later. You get sucked in thinking you have to start younger but not the real superstars and most are not superstars. Patrick Corbin didn’t start baseball until high school. But if you’re not a real superstar is it worth all that time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. If one is to be good at the sport they have to start early.

DD started when she was 10 and she will never play in college or be able to compete with kids who started at 5.

Some parents hope for college scholarships and for that you have to lean in a lot more.

Perhaps 10 is too late. But startung at 7/8 is just fine.

The rub is that the really good athletes can start later. You get sucked in thinking you have to start younger but not the real superstars and most are not superstars. Patrick Corbin didn’t start baseball until high school. But if you’re not a real superstar is it worth all that time?

There are exceptions in team sports but this would not happen in individual sports

[Anonymous]

It’s not. I was never in any organized sports and am healthy, happy and have done well in life.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to do it unless you and kids are interested. Go by trial and error method, try things you want and see if kid enjoys it and if logistics are compatible with your schedule.

Academic or sports are necessary but degree of involvement shouldn't be unhealthy amount if time or efforts. These are to enrich lives not to take over lives.

Your aim is to raise healthy, happy, curious and involved kids, not super athletes, not musical wonders nor academic wizards.

AND your aim is ti provide whole family a happy home which requires mother and father to be happy as well. Kids don't thrive well when parents are stressed, overwhelmed and tense. Just see what fits with this major goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents don’t have their own interests or hobbies.

Comments like these are why threads about sports devolve so quickly.

[Anonymous]

We tried soccer, karate and gymnastics. Kids lost interest and quit other sports but enjoyed non-competitive soccer and one still play leisure soccer as young adults. They aren't missing out on anything. Happy, active, well adjusted and well employed adults.

[Anonymous]

Do make sure your kids can swim. You could also focus on “lifetime” sports like tennis and golf.

[Anonymous]

Sports parents aren't any different than pageant parents or tiger parents, often worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do make sure your kids can swim. You could also focus on “lifetime” sports like tennis and golf.

+1 for swimming lessons. Those can save lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do a few different rec sports in elementary school. Do NOT to club/travel. That’s when it gets expensive and stressful.

But let your kids try different sports and see what they like, if any. I think sports are good for kids, there are a ton of benefits. Not everyone is crazy into travel sports and all that BS.

This is the way

This, but with the huge high schools around here, if you child really enjoys a sport then he or she will have to do travel in order to get a spot on the high school team. It sucks, but it’s just the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do make sure your kids can swim. You could also focus on “lifetime” sports like tennis and golf.

You mean pickleball