DH and I were lightly active in high school, he was more so than me. I did go to state in track/field though. We are both from big families and back in the day there just weren't the sports opportunities there are now and we didn't devote that much time to our after school activities.

Fast forward to our teens, each of whom as fallen for a sport or highly physical activity and both are amazing athletes. It's pretty weird to have kids that are athletically gifted after not being super active ourselves - or competing at super high levels.

We didn't realize what was happening until it was too late as we weren't crazy signing up for travel, clinics, this and that. Personally while I appreciate the benefits they are receiving, it's not at all what I would have chosen from a family lifestyle perspective - so time consuming, costly, etc. Hate that aspect and would have tried to cut it off before it grew into the monster that it now is.

Why do these threads always end up about sports? I actually think kids benefit from learning to incorporate fitness into their lives without relying on joining a team.

Sports isn't the only or even the best way to teach kids about the benefits of exercise in a way that will last though life.

OP, start small. How about start with incorporating some basic stuff (some planks and stretches and then a walk) into your day and include your kid. Use the walk to talk about your day, etc.

And then offer to enroll kid in a class. Suggest they sample different things.

There are also family oriented gyms like sport fit that are geared toward families. You could give that a shot.

Dh and I are not athletic at all. One kid is a hardcore athlete who trains 6 days a week, the other isn't an athlete at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure there are people who will turn out just fine but as a lifelong athlete it makes me sad for them that they won't learn any of the lessons that playing a sport can provide--teamwork, time management, goal setting, and getting along with others to work toward a common goal, among others. They're really missing out on a lot. Team activities also look great on a resume--as a college athlete, it's been mentioned during every single job interview I've ever had.

I feel sorry for people who are so one-dimensional that they can't see anything beyond their own life.

There are teams that do not involve sports. There are activities that involve teamwork, time management, goal setting and getting along with others.

You must bring up sports in your interviews or be really really young. Because I promise you, "Did you play team sports" is not a question most professional workplaces ask.

OP - you are fine. Encourage your children to do things, but you do not have to be one of these parents that drives their kids to be doing an activity every second of every day. Those kids do NOT learn how to think for themselves. They learn to go to activity A, follow the rules, leave before it is over to go to Activity B.

It's never been "did you play team sports?" It's been, "I see you were a division 1 athlete. Impressive." Or "I see youbwere a division 1 athlete. Tell me about that." I know. It's hard for people to see someone else succeed on this board and not be snarky. I'm sorry that you're such a b*tch.

Whenever I read your posts I hear Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" playing in my head.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure there are people who will turn out just fine but as a lifelong athlete it makes me sad for them that they won't learn any of the lessons that playing a sport can provide--teamwork, time management, goal setting, and getting along with others to work toward a common goal, among others. They're really missing out on a lot. Team activities also look great on a resume--as a college athlete, it's been mentioned during every single job interview I've ever had.

Seriously? You think a team sport is the only way to learn these lessons? And you put your little "athletic accomplishments" on your resume? Bush league, son.

On my resume, under the college portion, is listed hat I was a division 1 scholarship athlete. A huge accomplishment. I'm sorry you're so mediocre.

Is this an example of getting along with others that you learned from team sports?

Interesting how the competitiveness comes out in the athletic team sport people bragging about their accomplishments. Different strokes for different folks. Some people value relaxation, reflection, intellectual pursuits, and solitary activities while others are more into having a packed schedule of social or athletic activities.

We aren't very active, but I signed my kids up for kindergarten soccer and they've taken off from there and are all very active. I agree with poster who said it is much more about friends than about parents. Even one daughter who really hated the elementary school sport thing took a few years doing quieter pursuits and now is going full stem ahead trying to make the high school team. If you sign them up for sports young, they will get to know the other athletes in school and that will encourage them to keep at it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure there are people who will turn out just fine but as a lifelong athlete it makes me sad for them that they won't learn any of the lessons that playing a sport can provide--teamwork, time management, goal setting, and getting along with others to work toward a common goal, among others. They're really missing out on a lot. Team activities also look great on a resume--as a college athlete, it's been mentioned during every single job interview I've ever had.

I feel sorry for people who are so one-dimensional that they can't see anything beyond their own life.

There are teams that do not involve sports. There are activities that involve teamwork, time management, goal setting and getting along with others.

You must bring up sports in your interviews or be really really young. Because I promise you, "Did you play team sports" is not a question most professional workplaces ask.

OP - you are fine. Encourage your children to do things, but you do not have to be one of these parents that drives their kids to be doing an activity every second of every day. Those kids do NOT learn how to think for themselves. They learn to go to activity A, follow the rules, leave before it is over to go to Activity B.

It's never been "did you play team sports?" It's been, "I see you were a division 1 athlete. Impressive." Or "I see youbwere a division 1 athlete. Tell me about that." I know. It's hard for people to see someone else succeed on this board and not be snarky. I'm sorry that you're such a b*tch.