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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am among those who don't get the sports obsession.

I do get playing sports and encouraging kids to play sports. And if a kid shows promise in a sport, or even just really likes it, supporting them in pursuing it. All normal. Sports are great.

But some of you talk about it like becoming an "elite athlete" is the only path to success. Most of my friends are very successful professionally-- lots of Ivy and equivalent grads, lawyers, consultants, etc. Many played sports in adolescence, almost none did so in college. I can think of a handful who did play in college, and only one *might* have been considered elite. That's it.

What they have in common is not athletic prowess but academic success. Great grades, genuine interest in learning and succeeding academically. Good test takers, voracious readers, interested in and engaged with the world. Sports/athletics are pretty beside the point. Some are athletic now, some aren't.

So if your goal is raising kids who are successful in life, I don't understand this fixation on sports. Again, I think it always makes sense to support and encourage a kid in an interest where they show promise, but that could be soccer or music or math or debate club. If your kid isn't that into sports or just isn't good enough to play at a high level, I don't think it really matters in terms of success.

Now, if your kid struggles with reading or math, is disinterested in school, etc? That's an issue. At least if your goal for them is professional success. [/quote]

I can’t believe that this was written by someone parenting today.  Travel sports is by far the easiest and most fun way to limit screen time, make sure your dc is physicaly fit and give them positive opportunities to socialize.

To duplicate the experience of travel sports (at least for the under 13 set) you would have to set up multiple playdates a week, work out with your kids multiple days per week and develop an interest that both of you could talk and strategize about.

Even if you did all of those things you would miss out on the thrill of watching your child compete, struggle, and occasionally win.  You would miss out on the community of parents who you learn from and in my case became some of my best friends.

But what you miss the most is the conversations with your child after games and in the hotel rooms during tournaments.  Those moments give you a chance to talk about disappointments, defeats, difficult personal situations.  Those moments are some of the best I’ve had as a dad.

I will say that athletic success can not be  the expectation. There are too many variables- your kid’s athletic ability, his interest and competition.  Also I don’t think it has to be sports but it does have to be something physical and on going.  You might get similar results with dance or scouts.

Finally, in my experience raising your kids so that they have a project that you help them work on over the years is a great way to parent.

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