Would you drive 30 minutes each way for a kid to try a sport?

[Anonymous]

Hockey is the only sport my son has strongly voiced wanting to play. I vote try it because of the relief I've been feeling seeing that it's not a waste of time or money & could end up being his thing. I recommend doing skating lessons as close as possible to your house & starting with street hockey. We're in Montgomery County but I've heard good things about Active Play DC.

[Anonymous]

I think if she’s interested and you’re able, to give it a try. She may decide it’s not for her after the 8 week session (one of mine did this). But know going in, if she falls in love with it, you’ll either be saying no to something she loves for your convenience or you’ll be doing a lot of driving. In hockey, it’s common to switch rinks or teams, there may not be a girls’ team that fits at that rink. Even if you end up practicing out of that rink, games could be much further away. Yes, your “city convenience” life will change, but as mentioned by others, it’s doable.

Signed, a parent of one girl and one boy hockey player who sometimes questions her decision, but then sees the joy it brings them.

[Anonymous]

I would hate it but I'd do it.

Why is hockey so much more driving than other sports?

[Anonymous]

Yes. 30 minutes is nothing. I live 8 miles from the Rockville ice rink and it takes me exactly 25 minutes to get there with NO traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hate it but I'd do it.

Why is hockey so much more driving than other sports?

Because there are fewer ice rinks and greater distance between them.

[Anonymous]

Yes but with the caveat that I would not take sole responsibility for getting her there. Can you split this with your spouse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to play hockey, you will be doing a lot of driving, and there will be a lot of practices at miserable times. If the idea sounds miserable now, the squash it before it starts

+1. If driving is not that appealing to you, you are not going to like hockey. You are going to have to drive everywhere, and it is going to be way further than soccer.

Agree. The 30 min part is ok, but hard no to hockey. Way more driving than most sports. Plus do you really want your 7 yr old playing a contact sport?

They aren’t checking at 7yo FFS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We drive 45-60 minutes each way for our kids' sport but we're also there for about 3 hours while they both do it, so at least we're not spending more time in the car than at the sport. My husband and I both work full-time but we've committed to this sport and our kids love it so we deal with it. You could try to look into carpooling? We can't do that unfortunately because it's a niche sport, which yours may be as well.

Secret sport

[Anonymous]

Also, even with soccer/basketball/baseball where there are more facilities available compared to hockey, you could get assigned to a field 3 miles away and it will take 30 minutes each way.

This was what happened to us when our DS1 was 7 and playing rec lacrosse (he’s now 20) it was a Burke, Va league but our “games” were at a school in Merrifield. By miles, it wasn’t far but it by time? Good luck finding all activities within a 5 minute walking distance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to play hockey, you will be doing a lot of driving, and there will be a lot of practices at miserable times. If the idea sounds miserable now, the squash it before it starts

+1. If driving is not that appealing to you, you are not going to like hockey. You are going to have to drive everywhere, and it is going to be way further than soccer.

Agree. The 30 min part is ok, but hard no to hockey. Way more driving than most sports. Plus do you really want your 7 yr old playing a contact sport?

They aren’t checking at 7yo FFS

They are preparing to…isn’t that half the point of hockey?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We drive 45-60 minutes each way for our kids' sport but we're also there for about 3 hours while they both do it, so at least we're not spending more time in the car than at the sport. My husband and I both work full-time but we've committed to this sport and our kids love it so we deal with it. You could try to look into carpooling? We can't do that unfortunately because it's a niche sport, which yours may be as well.

Secret sport

Yeah…why can’t you just say the sport? Less people playing means greater odds of college scholarship/hook for acceptance into competitive school? Americans are crazy about sports

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to play hockey, you will be doing a lot of driving, and there will be a lot of practices at miserable times. If the idea sounds miserable now, the squash it before it starts

+1. If driving is not that appealing to you, you are not going to like hockey. You are going to have to drive everywhere, and it is going to be way further than soccer.

Agree. The 30 min part is ok, but hard no to hockey. Way more driving than most sports. Plus do you really want your 7 yr old playing a contact sport?

They aren’t checking at 7yo FFS

They are preparing to…isn’t that half the point of hockey?

No, it's not "the point."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to play hockey, you will be doing a lot of driving, and there will be a lot of practices at miserable times. If the idea sounds miserable now, the squash it before it starts

+1. If driving is not that appealing to you, you are not going to like hockey. You are going to have to drive everywhere, and it is going to be way further than soccer.

Agree. The 30 min part is ok, but hard no to hockey. Way more driving than most sports. Plus do you really want your 7 yr old playing a contact sport?

There's no contact at that age. Plus this is learn to play, most of these kids can barely get around and they are completely kitted up with all the pads.

[Anonymous]

I would because 30 minutes isnt actually that much in this area. But hockey has crazy commitments, times, and locations so be prepared for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to play hockey, you will be doing a lot of driving, and there will be a lot of practices at miserable times. If the idea sounds miserable now, the squash it before it starts

+1. If driving is not that appealing to you, you are not going to like hockey. You are going to have to drive everywhere, and it is going to be way further than soccer.

Agree. The 30 min part is ok, but hard no to hockey. Way more driving than most sports. Plus do you really want your 7 yr old playing a contact sport?

They aren’t checking at 7yo FFS

They are preparing to…isn’t that half the point of hockey?

Checking isn't allowed in girls'/womens' hockey at any level. Coed hockey, which is common for young kids, doesn't allow it at 7, and while they are the boys and the girls who choose to play with the boys when they get to checking many years down the road, it's not specific preparation for checking.