late hours in sports practices

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

[Anonymous]

Yes, though it wasn't bad until HS. It's worse than working a job. Our teen, at 15, had a work permit for summer work. I was impressed at the protections. Reading through the rules and regulations, mandated by the state, made me wish the state would impose the same on sports/extracurriculars. No practice after xx hour (or before XX time in the am), no more than xx hours of practice a week.

[Anonymous]

Two times a week did not bother me.

[Anonymous]

He got done before practice, and then right home shower to bed. Yeah, it was tough but we managed.

[Anonymous]

You pulled him from a sport he loves because of that? Dumb move

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

Is it daily?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You pulled him from a sport he loves because of that? Dumb move

Not OP but three late nights each week are rough. My DS is exhausted and comes home, eats, showers and can’t immediately fall asleep but does so soon. Even then it’s too late. He compensates by going to bed much earlier the nights he doesn’t have practice but he’s cranky on late practice nights and his moods affect all of us. Mornings are miserable but they are pretty much every day anyway. I’m cranky too right now as I wait around since it’s my turn to pick up tonight and I don’t want to go out again. We won’t pull him because the pros of the team outweigh the cons but I wish they had earlier hours.

[Anonymous]

Late nights out are insane on weeknights.
Academics must be the priority and plenty of sleep.

[Anonymous]

Fine. It is probably more an issue for you then him. We have done it with younger kids as that was the time slot. I preferred it as we could come home, do homework, eat and not be rushed. Mine don't need that much sleep. We immediately shower and bed. Not a big deal. I prefer it to 5 PM practices as then its a rush for a snack and homework and they are tired after to finish homework.

[Anonymous]

I share your concerns, OP. DS started middle school this year and has to get over an hour earlier than he had to for ES. He plays multiple sports (his choice) with several late evening practices and games. He’s adjusted surprising well. We’ll continue to monitor and take cues from DS and adjust as needed.

[Anonymous]

My son needs the late start time to get home work done first. No way could he tackle that after practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

My 13 year old does this but he’s actually gotten much better at managing his time as a result, and he’s very committed to his sport. He doesn’t go to bed until around 10:00 pm anyhow. Did you give your kid a chance to see if he could handle it before you pulled him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He got done before practice, and then right home shower to bed. Yeah, it was tough but we managed.

Homework got done, that is.

I hate autocorrect.

[Anonymous]

I think you overreacted by making your kid drop a sport he loves before giving him a chance to prove that he can manage it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how other pre-teen parents feel about late-evening (I would even say night) sports practices. I just had to pull my middle-school aged kid out of a sport he loves because we found out the practices for his team would run past 9pm. Kids at this age need as much sleep as younger kids, especially with the increased academic load and earlier school start times, but I'm finding that activities tend to go later. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

My 13 year old does this but he’s actually gotten much better at managing his time as a result, and he’s very committed to his sport. He doesn’t go to bed until around 10:00 pm anyhow. Did you give your kid a chance to see if he could handle it before you pulled him?

10 is tough. Doesn't he get up around 6 for school?