Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 17:11     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.


I saw this happen but with travel hockey. Kids get bumped down a team or don't make it and it's a social crisis for all involved.


This! Our son did travel soccer a few years ago for a few years, and his former best friend was on the same team along with some other boys whose parents we became very good friends with. Golf, drinks, lodging, you name it. Unfortunately after the first season my DS’s best friend didn’t make the cut and the other parents of our group completely cut them out. We still are very close with them, but it was pretty shocking to us how these travel sports cliques operate.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:49     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
There aren't real club sports here just for fun. Kids need the physical activity and community and to be kept off screens. So I don't think travel is worth it but they need to do something if you don't have an amazing fire neighborhood group that's out riding bikes all day or something.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:44     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.


For all the dummies on this thread who can’t read and insist that everyone contributing *obviously* has their own kids in travel sports, please read the bolded statement by the PP.


Thank you! I have 3 boys and 1 of them would have easily made the team and the other 2 it would have been less likely. All 3 play rec. All 3 have friend groups that won’t disappear if they suddenly decide they like piano or drama club or baseball instead of soccer.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:42     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.


I saw this happen but with travel hockey. Kids get bumped down a team or don't make it and it's a social crisis for all involved.


Yup. It is. And not a manufactured or fake one IMO. The kids truly lose their main friend group and their identity of being on the towns travel soccer team (in our town, it’s really just one main popular club that kids join). But the parents IMO should know better than to allow their kid to fall into this trap to start with.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:35     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.


For all the dummies on this thread who can’t read and insist that everyone contributing *obviously* has their own kids in travel sports, please read the bolded statement by the PP.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:31     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.


Why are you assuming people responded here with kids who don't participate? I responded it's not worth it when they're young and my kid is in travel sports.


Why would you assume my comment was directed at every respondent rather than the very specific subset of respondents whom I explicitly described?


Are there posts here from people who affirmatively state their children have never done travel sports and they have an opinion about it?




You appear to be functionally illiterate. You might want to look into local community colleges for nighttime courses.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 16:12     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.


I saw this happen but with travel hockey. Kids get bumped down a team or don't make it and it's a social crisis for all involved.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 15:23     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For us, it's been worth it and we aren't going to be playing in college or anything. It's about so much more than just that.

That's what every parent says once they realize they feel for the travel sports scam and wasted 1000s of dollars...


NP. DCUM is filled with so many weirdos. This is so bizarrely aggressive.

Nothing aggressive about it.

I have three kids who went through youth sports. Every travel parent starts realizes that their 8u superstar fizzled out in middle school and now the kid and parent have an identity crisis.


NP here and I do see a point in this. In my community, being on the local travel soccer team is the “cool” thing to do/ for both the boys and their parents. It becomes their friend group- the dads all golf together, the moms all go out for drinks together, the kids spend every weekend with each other and wear their travel jerseys to school. It is a good dynamic seemingly at first but the problem is, a kid or two kids who used to be in the friend group, now aren’t as good at soccer, and don’t make the team. Now all these plans go on without that family- the mom and dad aren’t hanging out with the adult group anymore and the kid no longer sees any of. His friends on The Weeknd’s. It is like a grown up version of getting cut from the sorority that your friends rushed and now you don’t see those friends anymore. It’s one reason why I opted my kids out of travel soccer to start with. They made friends that don’t care if their interest or skill in soccer wanes.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 15:00     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
I only have one kid but she loves soccer so it’s what we do. Is it worth it? I don’t know, it brings her joy, it keeps her fit and healthy and we’re not in debt over it, so I guess for us it is. We’re not looking as far as college… we’re more in the now.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:53     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Perhaps my kids aren't elite enough, but I have never encountered anyone IRL who talks about the ROI on their kids' sports activities.

(Or maybe I just keep my distance from the parents who seem a little too invested.)
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:44     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.


+1

Yeah, DCUM is so weird about this. These posters get so incredibly worked up about what other families do with their free time and money, and they come across as deranged obsessives to normies. I don’t think DCUM posters realize just how weird and aggressive they sound about this issue.

Don’t like travel sports or dance or whatever? Don’t do it. Problem should be solved, except it’s not because these posters incessantly post about how upset they are about other people doing it. It’s very weird behavior.


A poster came on here asking if it was all worth it. People are giving their opinions. Why so defensive it's weird. Chime in with your own opinion about how it's all worth it. No one is stopping you.


My kids do not do travel sports so nothing to be defensive about. I just think people like you and OP are extremely weird obsessives fixated on the life choices of other people. Do it or don’t do it, but you and OP go far beyond that and it’s weird. If you don’t like that people see your fixation, maybe reconsider your posting.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:35     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.


+1

Yeah, DCUM is so weird about this. These posters get so incredibly worked up about what other families do with their free time and money, and they come across as deranged obsessives to normies. I don’t think DCUM posters realize just how weird and aggressive they sound about this issue.

Don’t like travel sports or dance or whatever? Don’t do it. Problem should be solved, except it’s not because these posters incessantly post about how upset they are about other people doing it. It’s very weird behavior.


A poster came on here asking if it was all worth it. People are giving their opinions. Why so defensive it's weird. Chime in with your own opinion about how it's all worth it. No one is stopping you.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:32     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.

Why do you assume the people commenting have no one here has experience with travel sports?
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:30     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.


+1

Yeah, DCUM is so weird about this. These posters get so incredibly worked up about what other families do with their free time and money, and they come across as deranged obsessives to normies. I don’t think DCUM posters realize just how weird and aggressive they sound about this issue.

Don’t like travel sports or dance or whatever? Don’t do it. Problem should be solved, except it’s not because these posters incessantly post about how upset they are about other people doing it. It’s very weird behavior.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 14:08     Subject: I’m wondering if all these sports are even worth it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever conducted a study of the parents who DON’T have their kids participate in travel sports and yet still get over the top triggered by the parents who DO? The parents who make fun of random kids they don’t know and viciously judge how other parents choose to spend their time and money even though it doesn’t hurt them (or even affect them) in the least?

I think there is some interesting pathology to unpack here.


Why are you assuming people responded here with kids who don't participate? I responded it's not worth it when they're young and my kid is in travel sports.


Why would you assume my comment was directed at every respondent rather than the very specific subset of respondents whom I explicitly described?


Are there posts here from people who affirmatively state their children have never done travel sports and they have an opinion about it?