Can someone explain Saturday morning soccer to me?
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Anonymous
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What do people like about weekend soccer? I grew up in an unathletic family, so it's very foreign to me, though I know that some of my neighbors have signed their kids up for soccer since they were three years old. We've been much more laid back on extra curriculars thus far.
Is it really worth giving up our rare free Saturday mornings to join a league like Stoddert so my almost-six year old can stumble over a ball for a few hours? Am I a bad mom for saying no to the pressure to join the school's team? If I asked my kid, I bet the answer would be "yes, I want to do it." But that's the answer to everything, when in reality, after the long school week, kid loves to stay in PJs and play with home toys until 10am. Not my idea of a fun time to struggle out the door one more day, dragging the toddler along, too. So if you do soccer, tell me, what's great about it? |
Anonymous
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You are going to get replies from a lot of people who love team sports so I'll answer first, since I feel the same as you and have an older child. He doesn't like soccer but does other sports that involve practices and weekend games.
I waited until he wanted to and didn't pressure him. As they get older, they don't want to hang out with their parents all weekend. Sports provide activity and social interaction. He has met his best friends through sports, not school. I'm signing my younger child up for soccer this fall. She's almost 6, only because she has asked repeatedly. There will be plenty of time for team sports later. Don't feel pressured to do this until your child asks if you don't want to. |
Anonymous
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OP, everything is worth a try. If it's not for you and your family, so be it. But signing up for one season and seeing how it fits isn't a big deal.
One reason is it provides exercise, social interaction and learning to be on a team. These are valid and important skills. |
Anonymous
You're not a bad mom necessarily, but certainly sound as one dumb woman. |
Anonymous
| Just like some people think summer swim team and daily practices is good kids including all of the Saturday and weekday evening meets are worth it and some think it takes away too much summer time to do other things. I'd try it for a season and see how your kid likes it. It's important to go out there and run around and move in some way regularly. Doesn't have to be soccer. If you guys go for a hike every weekend or whatever that works too. |
Anonymous
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My kids were early risers so by 9am they were ready to be out of the house and running around.
I was on our sports committee at our school. and every time a parent at our school complained about their kids "not having any friends" or "being left out on the playground"... they were referred to me to determine a good sport for them and low and behold they had friends a few weeks later. It was of value to my kids because they liked it, made friends, learned how to be a team player, learned to deal with loss and winning gracefully and crazy parents, and crazy coaches and kids that are not team players and kids that are not athletic but want to be part of a team.... and....etc.... and I do not think doing things my kids like are a huge burden and never felt like my life was so hectic that I needed a whole day to lay around on the weekend. |
Anonymous
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I'm French - schools in France have a longer school day and a higher academic standard than schools here, and entrance to university is not contingent on excelling at a sport or other non-academic subject. Extra-curriculars during the school year are hard to get to, since schools end later. Therefore I was quite surprised at the intensity of certain extras here. Nevertheless we have woken up early on weekends to do things our children wanted to experience. I also understand that here the game is different. Parents want their kids to try a ton of different things so that they find something they love and can hopefully put on their college application. One thing I don't like here is the early emphasis on sports - it's not good for children's bodies to train so hard so early (not rec league, but travel sports). |
Anonymous
| I do it because i find it more enjoyable than sitting on the floor playing barbies or dinosaurs with my 5yo. And she enjoys it and its exercise. |
Anonymous
| My kids love sports and being active. Not that complicated. |
Anonymous
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I grew up poor with a single mom who didn't have time or money to sign me up for anything extra curriculuar. I was a couch potato and overweight. Once I got to high school I couldn't have just joined a soccer team or tennis team if I wanted to as all the girls had been playing for years. It took me a long time to find friends in HS. If I had been in an activity, I think it would have helped me socially.
So my kids are in soccer (and a few other activities) to keep them active and to learn how to be part of a team. Also so that as they get older they have something they could do in HS if the wanted. |
Anonymous
| So do soccer, or don't do soccer. I'm not going to analyze your life and decide if it's "worth it" or not. I don't even know you. |
Anonymous
But why, oh why, do people "love sports"? What exactly do you mean with that? Why not "being active" playing online games? Can someone explain sports to me? TIA |
Anonymous
some people have no working brain. |
Anonymous
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If your kid needs physical activity, try a weeknight sport like dance, gymnastics, karate, fencing, weekly swim lessons, etc.
Team sports are unnecessary for development and a happy childhood. Soccer is unnecessary. Some kids love it. Some PARENTS live for it. If you want to try it, do it. If your kid has lots of interests, it is okay to go into a different direction. |
Anonymous
| If your child would say yes to anything, choose something at a more convenient time. |