Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We never let our kids pick more than one sport per season. They get to pick the sport they really want to play that season and we sign them up. It's crazy to take on too many activities, especially at a young age. It interferes with your entire week: dinnertime, homework, bath/bedtime, everything. It's not worth and it's just too disruptive to the family.
I actually find it less insane at a young age because if you miss a practice or a game it's not that big of deal. It's when they get older that it becomes more difficult.
I guess it depends on what you want to teach your kids. The whole point of joining a team is making a commitment and honoring that commitment by showing up and doing your best. We truly don't think our kids are going to be playing for the Yankees someday. However, do know that they'll have to be valuable team players at all different levels. Just because you're on a team of 5 and 6 year olds doesn't make your commitment to the other 5 & 6 year olds any less important. After all, the coaches, other players, and other players' parents have all honored their commitment to show up. What makes your kid's soccer game more important than his baseball game on any particular Saturday?? That's why we insist on picking your poisons (if you will) and standing by the choice you make every season.
Actually, I just had this discussion with my son who has conflicts.
I said that in real life there are conflicts and there are consequences to your decisions. My son has missed practice because he does not finish his homework or he has a huge project or he has a band concert. There are priorities.
He missed a "big" game because his cousin got married. The best player on the team missed the first game of the season because of his cousing Bar Mitzvah. (They lost but it is better to have him for 7 games rather than no games at all.)
Showing up is important but it is not the MOST important thing. It's good we can teach this lesson at a young age.