Anonymous wrote:DH and I are debating which sports we would consider "off limits" for our kids to play. Obviously we want them to choose what they enjoy, but we also want to encourage sports that have less physical danger (football and concussion rates), less negative culture in HS (lacrosse and drugs), and reasonable schedules (I don't want them in middle school playing games at 9pm).

What do your kids play, and what has been your experience?
What age did they start, was it too early/late?

Let me emphasize again that our kids will get to pick their activities, but we will definitely be overseeing their choices.
Thx!

If they would just do away with helmets, there would be fewer concussions in gridiron.

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are debating which sports we would consider "off limits" for our kids to play. Obviously we want them to choose what they enjoy, but we also want to encourage sports that have less physical danger (football and concussion rates), less negative culture in HS (lacrosse and drugs), and reasonable schedules (I don't want them in middle school playing games at 9pm).

What do your kids play, and what has been your experience?
What age did they start, was it too early/late?

Let me emphasize again that our kids will get to pick their activities, but we will definitely be overseeing their choices.
Thx!

rugby. seriously.

Anonymous wrote:7:53, I read your list and thought "wow, that's long!" and then realized that our list might be even longer and I have 1 kid.

We've tried a lot of things, and ended up with football, to my amazement, also a little rec soccer, and the school ski club. Football's the right fit for him. It plays to his strengths, and it's not so common in our neighborhood so he'll likely make the high school team, something that would not happen in basketball or soccer.

I think that when you think about the "risks" of sports you also need to think about the risks of not doing sports or not finding the right sport for your kid. Football is a good example of this for my kid. I was very hesitant, but the reality is that it's been great for him. It's been a place for him to get exercise, get in shape, and make friends. He's learned about teamwork and strategy. He's become more confident and happy, and he's busy and not home playing video games or out by himself after school when I'm at work. Do some kids get all of those things from soccer or swimming? Yes, but my kid wasn't, because those weren't the right sports for him. I should also note that there have been some minor injuries (sprained knee type level) on his football team, but there have also been 2 kids who have suffered significant concussions off the field. I think that kind of kid who thrives on hitting people on the football field is also going to be the one trying tricks on their skateboard, or playing hard pick up basketball on the court. I'm not sure they're less safe on the football field.

So, my thought is, try a bunch of sports. Start with the ones that make the most sense, that are close and convenient and reasonably priced. I think that swimming, soccer, martial arts, and dance can be great places to start. But be aware that this is also about finding the perfect match for your kid, and that the benefits of finding that match are huge, but it might require stretching your comfort zone a little.

Many thanks for posting this. I appreciate the perspective.

swimming

Anonymous wrote:More injuries in soccer than football.

It isn't about "more" but about severity -- football gets the head injury prize, and probably the paralysis one, too. That said, soccer is definitely and without a doubt a contact sport.

OP, one of the things you will learn as the kids get older is that there's a limit to what you can do to "guide," particularly when faced with a serious interest or skill.

You want no injuries, and no late night requirements, I recommend minecraft or possibly tiddlywinks.

More injuries in soccer than football.

I don't think a lot of sports are "safe-proof".
Ours did rowing, field hockey, swimming, lacrosse, track and field. Most of the injuries came from fh and track and field.

My DS plays soccer and it's a fabulous sport but I would not put it in the "safer" category. My DS has broken his nose more than once and has hurt ankles and knees multiple times requiring PT visits. That doesn't count the minor stuff like beaing cleated in the hand (probably should have had stiches). While he has never had a concussion there were 4 concussions on his high school team this fall, and 2 on his club team. That being said it's fine at the rec levels. We didn't start seeing injuries until about U11 or 12 travel.

7:53, I read your list and thought "wow, that's long!" and then realized that our list might be even longer and I have 1 kid.

We've tried a lot of things, and ended up with football, to my amazement, also a little rec soccer, and the school ski club. Football's the right fit for him. It plays to his strengths, and it's not so common in our neighborhood so he'll likely make the high school team, something that would not happen in basketball or soccer.

I think that when you think about the "risks" of sports you also need to think about the risks of not doing sports or not finding the right sport for your kid. Football is a good example of this for my kid. I was very hesitant, but the reality is that it's been great for him. It's been a place for him to get exercise, get in shape, and make friends. He's learned about teamwork and strategy. He's become more confident and happy, and he's busy and not home playing video games or out by himself after school when I'm at work. Do some kids get all of those things from soccer or swimming? Yes, but my kid wasn't, because those weren't the right sports for him. I should also note that there have been some minor injuries (sprained knee type level) on his football team, but there have also been 2 kids who have suffered significant concussions off the field. I think that kind of kid who thrives on hitting people on the football field is also going to be the one trying tricks on their skateboard, or playing hard pick up basketball on the court. I'm not sure they're less safe on the football field.

So, my thought is, try a bunch of sports. Start with the ones that make the most sense, that are close and convenient and reasonably priced. I think that swimming, soccer, martial arts, and dance can be great places to start. But be aware that this is also about finding the perfect match for your kid, and that the benefits of finding that match are huge, but it might require stretching your comfort zone a little.

Dance, martial arts, soccer and baseball

We did martial arts at a young age to teach discipline, self confidence and balance.

We did soccer starting at 5 yo since their school had a program that helped kids from their class meet each other this way.

One of my sons wrestled for 2 years because his friends did.

My kids did not do Tball/baseball because it is painful (2 hour games) and not enough exercise. (But in the end I think this would be the least health hazardous sport and college age kids play on club teams.)

We did flag football and tackle at the younger age (pre middle school) because our theory is the bigger they are the harder they fall. There were some concussions but not as many as in middle school and high school.

We are now basically soccer, basketball and lacrosse. As you get older and better at passing lacrosse injuries become less - if you pass the ball they can't hit you. There is more hitting in little league lacrosse than older age.

Our kids will not be good enough for basketball past middle school but I want them to have enough skills to play a pick up game with cousins on Thanksgiving day.

Running - we are starting to run 5K's as a family (middle school) and also the kids are old enough we can run during their practices. It is a skill they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

Golf - they just started playing golf in summer camp. One of my sons will probably not be good enough to play LAX past freshman year so I hope he can play golf with his school team.

Rock climbing and Earthtreks - though we don't have enough time right now to dedicate time to this I also think this is a good sport to carry on for a lifetime. I have family in CO and they all rock climb. My kids do this in summer camp. I would like to have them do the teen club when they become a teen.

Kayaking - my kids do kayaking in the summer at summer camp.

Skiing - My kids did ski school when they visited vamily in CO. They are getting older now and I may do more ski lessons and snowboarding lessons this year. 4th and 5th graders ski for free in PA. You can google it. This is because important to me because when I was in college and my friends went skiing I couldn't ski and it was embarrasing. My SIL in CO finally taught me to ski. It is a great way to spend a weekend together with family.

If you figure my kids have been doing sports for 6 years for 3 seasons (that is 18 seasons) my list seems a little less sports fanaticish. My rule is 1 sport and 1 nonsport activity per season (chess, instrument, etc).

I work so they have summer camps too.

All sports can involve injuries. And even non athletes take drugs or drink in high school.

We are not going to allow tackle football until high school (if ever). DS (5) did play flag football this fall and loved it. A lot depends on if you have a good coach or not. We also will allow soccer or t-ball if he wants to and pretty much any other sport or activity. But, we are only doing one activity per season right now.

Some kids are ready for organized sports around 5-6, some are not. Some would rather not play organized sports at all, which of course is fine too. Depends on your child's interests and abilities.

What do you consider safe? Soccer? Tons of concussions. Basketball? Blown out knees. Baseball/tennis? Elbow injuries.

That's just my way of saying that all sports can be "unsafe" if you really look. Swimming seems pretty safe, but there are generally really early morning practices. So I doubt you'll really ever find what you're looking for, maybe let your kids try a bunch of things and see what sticks. The chances of catastrophic injury or drug addiction caused by sports are pretty minimal.

Chess!

DH and I are debating which sports we would consider "off limits" for our kids to play. Obviously we want them to choose what they enjoy, but we also want to encourage sports that have less physical danger (football and concussion rates), less negative culture in HS (lacrosse and drugs), and reasonable schedules (I don't want them in middle school playing games at 9pm).

What do your kids play, and what has been your experience?
What age did they start, was it too early/late?

Let me emphasize again that our kids will get to pick their activities, but we will definitely be overseeing their choices.
Thx!