My son, a future doctor, is really good at sports
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Anonymous
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A slightly jesting headline basically my son (age 12) is really good at soccer. So good that European scouts have contacted us about his development, asking for updates and game videos. He's also been invited to some camps overseas so they can get a better look at him.
That's all great and all but I never thought he'd be a sportsman of any sorts given the lack of athletic genes of any sort from the parents. I also know the numbers of kids who go into the sports world and get chewed up before they reach college age and that grind is quite scary. It wasn't something I expected for him and was far more interested in him pursuing a more scholarly career (quite good in math and science). Do you think we should encourage the sports or be more realistic and keep his head in the books? So far we can do both but I worry about the time demand of highly competitive sports as he grows older. |
Anonymous
| He's 12, have you asked him what he wants to do? |
Anonymous
| Lol at saying he's a future doctor at 12 |
Anonymous
| I would follow his lead. How much does he really enjoy playing soccer? If he is truly a great player and loves his sport, I wouldn't deny him the opportunity to pursue it to his fullest potential. If you do, you run the risk that he will resent you for it later. |
Anonymous
OP said it in jest. I would see how it goes but not push him in a crazy parent way. |
Anonymous
| OP, you realize you can play sports and be studious, right? Why does it need to be either or? |
Anonymous
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be very careful he doesn't over do his knees. this did in our DC, travel soccer was a wrong move at that age.
if this starts happening , make him stop for a year http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/osgood.html |
Anonymous
| I'm a doctor and knew that's what I wanted do from the time I was 12. |
Anonymous
because the way european football is set up, you have to be devoted to your sport at a much younger age. |
Anonymous
| I have to believe that exposure to Europe would be a good, interesting, educational experience. I'd worry about injuries and studies, and would do all I could to stay on top of those two areas. But as long as he enjoys it, time in Europe would be awesome. Maybe he won't make it, but what an experience he will have had. |
Anonymous
NP I sneak into my kids' rooms and whisper "MIT" and "Caltech" to them while they're sleeping. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't let my kid go to a European team and skimp on his studies. He can do elite soccer here and get ready for college. |
Anonymous
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Interesting, OP. My 9 year old son, also a future doctor, is rubbish at sports but a marvelous singer. He gets invited to sing in professional venues etc. However he discounts his talent completely and REALLY wants to be a doctor. Worse, he is adamant he wants to do research! Just like father! 
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Anonymous
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The whole European thing is like a pyramid scheme unless the offer free travel and boarding.
Continue with the sport and get the admissions bump. |
Anonymous
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No reason he can't do both.
We all know kids who are fabulous athletes and top-tier students. Some high schools see one or two every decade. Others see a handful or more each year. Looking beyond high school, the Ivy League and Stanford, Duke etc. are full of these types of kids. Many go on to have wildly successful careers as doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, scientists, financiers, even politicians (Bill Bradley, anyone?) My advice: encourage DS to follow his interests and don't limit his horizons by making him choose one over the other. Just keep an eye on things to be sure he's having FUN -- not burning out on either soccer or academics -- and help him as much as possible with organization and time management skills. These are a MUST for scholar/athletes. Good luck and enjoy. |