Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

If college is the goal, then your kid would have to try to make it off RL. If they are riding the bench on ECNL then more than likely they were never going to be a collegiate player anyway. Would that be less fun? Yeah, but at least they tried to achieve their goal and don't have to live with regret. At least the found out the answer to the question...could I make it? That is a life lesson worth learning. Personally, I don't focus on fun because they are kids for such a short time, and I want them to learn how to be a good human being as an adult. I have never once thought, "man I wish my childhood was more fun." I think about the lessons I learned and the value in those, albeit hard to go through.

I'm not trying to preach at you, but if you kid wants to try let them try and they will have to deal with their own challenges that come from that! Protecting our kids from risk will make them live scared forever.

Yeah, that's one way to look at kids and life...

Sure is and I couldn't agree more. You worry about Johnny having a good time and I'll worry about raising kids who can handle life.

NP. You know there are plenty of people who when they were kids never even kicked a ball at all and grew up able to handle life just fine?

Sheesh. 🙄

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

If college is the goal, then your kid would have to try to make it off RL. If they are riding the bench on ECNL then more than likely they were never going to be a collegiate player anyway. Would that be less fun? Yeah, but at least they tried to achieve their goal and don't have to live with regret. At least the found out the answer to the question...could I make it? That is a life lesson worth learning. Personally, I don't focus on fun because they are kids for such a short time, and I want them to learn how to be a good human being as an adult. I have never once thought, "man I wish my childhood was more fun." I think about the lessons I learned and the value in those, albeit hard to go through.

I'm not trying to preach at you, but if you kid wants to try let them try and they will have to deal with their own challenges that come from that! Protecting our kids from risk will make them live scared forever.

Yeah, that's one way to look at kids and life...

Sure is and I couldn't agree more. You worry about Johnny having a good time and I'll worry about raising kids who can handle life.