Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My positive story is that we opted to keep our kids in MSI Classic so that they could play with their friends, and we didn't spend all weekend driving all over creation. I think the soccer industrial complex is out of control and not at all healthy for kids or families.

I'm always confused when people say things like this. At no point have we spent "all weekend driving all over creation" for travel soccer. Games are usually once a week, within an hour of home, and they last one hour each. We have plenty of weekend left to do other things. People who don't do travel soccer seem to have an inaccurate view of how much time it takes up. This isn't baseball with double headers and whatnot.

This really is not accurate for high level soccer. So it depends.

Honestly, every weekend during the fall and spring it's a good story for us. My U12 son love soccer, is good at it, and win or lose enjoys stepping into the arena each game and doing his best. And I love watching him and look forward to it every game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My positive story is that we opted to keep our kids in MSI Classic so that they could play with their friends, and we didn't spend all weekend driving all over creation. I think the soccer industrial complex is out of control and not at all healthy for kids or families.

I'm always confused when people say things like this. At no point have we spent "all weekend driving all over creation" for travel soccer. Games are usually once a week, within an hour of home, and they last one hour each. We have plenty of weekend left to do other things. People who don't do travel soccer seem to have an inaccurate view of how much time it takes up. This isn't baseball with double headers and whatnot.

Depends on the level of travel you play at. ECNL/GA soccer, for example, has significantly more travel involved than you referred to.

More travel doesn't equate to always travelling
People seem to forget, half and sometimes more than half the games are Home games

Not when you add in showcases, scrimmages, playoffs, etc.

DS's team is very close, both the kids and the families. Soccer has been the gateway to all those connections

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the heck did this Mr. Rogers thread get started? Yawn!

For how bored you are, you are in here reading and replying.

Aw snap! You got me bruh! No cap!

Anonymous wrote:Why in the heck did this Mr. Rogers thread get started? Yawn!

For how bored you are, you are in here reading and replying.

Why in the heck did this Mr. Rogers thread get started? Yawn!

My wife and I are hard working people who managed to buy a house in one of the best school districts in the area. We were kind of young for the area, and do not overly fit in with the more wealthy folks in the area. As such play dates, and making friends for our daughter was hard, as mom and dad both work and at young ages many times play dates happen with parents who are friends.

I signed her up for soccer, and it greatly improved her social life, she picked it up very quickly she is a great athlete. Now she was being invited to all the sports teams, and made friends who even car pooled with her. It was life changing for us in the area we live.

She has now moved on to a top team in the area, but maintains friendships with her local travel team. For a kid who struggled socially sports opened many doors, and as she is accelling on the field hopefully it opens many more doors.

Best thing I ever did was force her to sign up for travel soccer.

My son was always moderately athletic but soccer has really increased his athleticism over the past 3 years. He's had to push himself and work really hard to improve certain skills that seem to come a bit more naturally to other players. He's developing a tremendous work ethic and seeing the results of his hard work has given him confidence. He's finding his voice on the pitch and getting more comfortable with being a leader. He's developing mental toughness and resiliency. He's also learned a lot about sportsmanship (sometimes from seeing what NOT to do). He's learning about making sure his body is properly fueled and rested so that he can play his best.

This is why I love team sports! I probably wouldn't have chosen soccer for my kid if it were up to me (I played other sports and have more familiarity with them) but soccer happens to be my kid's thing and I love watching him experience all of this.