Anonymous
01/22/2024 12:37
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
1. Keeps them busy and focused on something that is healthy and positive for them.
2. Great way to keep them busy versus starring at screen.
3. Promotes communication and working together with others.
4. Understanding winning and losing (with respect).
5. Learning routine and discipline (it will apply to life later).
6. Meeting friends with similar interests.
7. Gives an outlet for energy, stress, etc.
I don't expect my kids to play into college. But, I do expect them to play though high school.
2. Great way to keep them busy versus starring at screen.
3. Promotes communication and working together with others.
4. Understanding winning and losing (with respect).
5. Learning routine and discipline (it will apply to life later).
6. Meeting friends with similar interests.
7. Gives an outlet for energy, stress, etc.
I don't expect my kids to play into college. But, I do expect them to play though high school.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 12:07
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
To keep them off video games duh
And college totally paid for too since we spent all the money to sending them to sports
And college totally paid for too since we spent all the money to sending them to sports
Anonymous
01/22/2024 12:07
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
I signed my son up for the K team at school so he’d make some friends. At the time he played on a school based rec baseball team for the same reason. He improved significantly and it became a source of pride for him when the other kids complimented him. Meanwhile he was frustrated that teammates goofed off during practices and missed a lot of games. We moved to travel because he begged to be with kids who were more commited. We never had plans for college. We’ve always followed his lead, taking breaks when he was burned out. He’s not a top player but he’s a good player and it’s been mostly a positive experience. Now that he’s in HS he’s considering playing D3 but we’ll see. I never expected any sort of payoff. It’s always been about him doing what he enjoys.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:37
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Anonymous wrote:Some kids may be coerced to play rec sports because the parents want them to try it, want to share a passion or hobby with their child, think team sports are an important life experience, or just think their kids need exercise.
Once you get to club / travel sports, the kids have to be invested. Some parents may take it to an extreme because they are very competitive, but most parents just want to provide opportunities for their kids to achieve their potential and learn some life lessons about setting and achieving goals, commitment, hard work, and teamwork. Whether a kid has that experience playing a sport, pursuing an instrument, performing in plays, or whatever their passion is, doesn’t really matter. Personally I try to support my kids where their interests take them as long as the kids are putting in the work. If I have to nag/remind them to practice or cajole them to practice on time, we stop investing our money and time. I tell my kids “I will match but not exceed your effort and investment.”
I love this answer and it would my answer as well.
I have 3 kids and they range from “tried soccer, hated it” to “I’m going pro.”
As parents, you try to support them so that they can reach their potential, but also to counsel them to prioritize academics and have backup plans and other interests.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:24
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
I wish my kids would listen to me when selecting which sports to play; if they did, it wouldn’t have been soccer.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:22
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Anonymous wrote:I know the standard answer is that because your son/daughter loves it. But kids love all kinds of things. Playing in the sand is fun to them. Laying on the couch is desirable too. I know kids love soccer. But the amount of energy/effort/time/money/emotion parents pour into it definitely does not get justified by just saying "my kid loves it". So what are you pursuing in the whole process? A professional career? A college scholarship? A glory at high school team? A place to channel your energy? A chance to re-live your childhood dream?
Soccer teaches kids outdoor physical activity, discipline, athletic skills, working with teams and gives them a community.
Who cares if they become college or professional players or not, its a fun activity.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:17
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Some kids may be coerced to play rec sports because the parents want them to try it, want to share a passion or hobby with their child, think team sports are an important life experience, or just think their kids need exercise.
Once you get to club / travel sports, the kids have to be invested. Some parents may take it to an extreme because they are very competitive, but most parents just want to provide opportunities for their kids to achieve their potential and learn some life lessons about setting and achieving goals, commitment, hard work, and teamwork. Whether a kid has that experience playing a sport, pursuing an instrument, performing in plays, or whatever their passion is, doesn’t really matter. Personally I try to support my kids where their interests take them as long as the kids are putting in the work. If I have to nag/remind them to practice or cajole them to practice on time, we stop investing our money and time. I tell my kids “I will match but not exceed your effort and investment.”
Once you get to club / travel sports, the kids have to be invested. Some parents may take it to an extreme because they are very competitive, but most parents just want to provide opportunities for their kids to achieve their potential and learn some life lessons about setting and achieving goals, commitment, hard work, and teamwork. Whether a kid has that experience playing a sport, pursuing an instrument, performing in plays, or whatever their passion is, doesn’t really matter. Personally I try to support my kids where their interests take them as long as the kids are putting in the work. If I have to nag/remind them to practice or cajole them to practice on time, we stop investing our money and time. I tell my kids “I will match but not exceed your effort and investment.”
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:17
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Playing soccer definitely improves my DD confidence, gain additional friends outside of school/neighborhood, and be fit and healthy.
It also allows all of us to be much closer. While driving to games/practices is a pain, it’s a good opportunity to talk to my DD about life, school, etc.
+100
It also gives my DD something to focus on other than boysand school
Agree. Drugs, sex and TikTok!!
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:05
Subject: Re:Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
I am a female that started travel soccer in the early 80s. My dad coached. All of my siblings played. It is the family sport.
I think since I always WAH, I was the one immediately after preschool/school with them and I'd kick the ball with them, play monkey in the middle soccer with them.
Instead of a dad throwing the football or baseball, it was mom playing soccer with them. Husband was a wrestler and he converted to our ways and ended up coaching the kids when they were young.
I don't like what became of the system, personally. It was a very grassroots sport when I started playing and a lot more people in it because they cared vs making $$. We had a lot of International coaches that came over to the US to play soccer in college and stayed, coaching for pleasure.
I think since I always WAH, I was the one immediately after preschool/school with them and I'd kick the ball with them, play monkey in the middle soccer with them.
Instead of a dad throwing the football or baseball, it was mom playing soccer with them. Husband was a wrestler and he converted to our ways and ended up coaching the kids when they were young.
I don't like what became of the system, personally. It was a very grassroots sport when I started playing and a lot more people in it because they cared vs making $$. We had a lot of International coaches that came over to the US to play soccer in college and stayed, coaching for pleasure.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 09:35
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Anonymous wrote:Playing soccer definitely improves my DD confidence, gain additional friends outside of school/neighborhood, and be fit and healthy.
It also allows all of us to be much closer. While driving to games/practices is a pain, it’s a good opportunity to talk to my DD about life, school, etc.
+100
It also gives my DD something to focus on other than boys
and school
Anonymous
01/22/2024 09:27
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Playing soccer definitely improves my DD confidence, gain additional friends outside of school/neighborhood, and be fit and healthy.
It also allows all of us to be much closer. While driving to games/practices is a pain, it’s a good opportunity to talk to my DD about life, school, etc.
It also allows all of us to be much closer. While driving to games/practices is a pain, it’s a good opportunity to talk to my DD about life, school, etc.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 09:09
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Imagine the OP's question being asked on a forum in Brazil or Argentina or El Salvador or France or
Anonymous
01/22/2024 06:43
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
Anonymous wrote:“Send”? Weird wording.
It’s healthy for kids to exercise, be part of a team, practice leadership, learn resilience.
This. Our kids have to choose a team sport. We view it as essential for learning skills they will need in life. Plus they have to stay active. Could be any sport, they just chose soccer for now. Been playing with a club since 2nd grade. One is likely to switch to volleyball and track next year.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 06:42
Subject: Re:Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
No one “sends” the kids….they say they want to try and we sign them up.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 06:41
Subject: Why do you send your son/daughter play soccer?
My son is a bad player in a terrible team. But he enjoys it, it is good exercise, and it isn't travel so the practices and matches are usually just a few minutes drive away. I would rather he could walk or get public transport to them, but it is what it is.