Anonymous
Post 01/27/2023 12:01     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:My 5 year is very talented athletically but refuses to play anything except putt putt golf...


Sure Jan
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2023 08:51     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Adding in my “athletic” kids who started sports at 6 are now injured constantly. They are heartbroken bc they love what they do so much. My “unathletic” kid who didn’t play a lot of sports until high school will run D3 XC in college and was a 3 sport varsity athlete since freshmen year.

Parenting is hardly ever obvious.

Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 15:50     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Take a break and give him time. My non-athletic 14 YO, who hasn't played sports in years (other than PE), just asked to sign up for rec volleyball this spring because he has been playing in PE and is enjoying it. In the meantime, try to work physical activity into your family outings (so walks, bike rides, trampoline parks, zip line/ropes course). He doesn't have to be an athlete to stay physical.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 15:47     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
You need to chill. Some kids don't like sports. Some kids like sports, but won't ever be a star at any sport for genetic reasons.

My 6 year old is similar but he's naturally not athletic too. So far we have rock climbing (super dangerous IMO but he likes it), biking, running, swimming, and he likes animals so he's the one walking the dog, taking long hikes to find insects. It's all physical activity, gets him out of the house.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 15:40     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
My 5 year is very talented athletically but refuses to play anything except putt putt golf...
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 15:22     Subject: Re:My 6 year old can't do anything
Al of these recommendations for rock climbing. Where does that get them in life. No where
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 15:21     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He has tried basically every sport and is terrible. Not interested in music or arts. He won't practice anything and I do not know what to do.


Let me guess, addicted to video games and youtube?



No - we do not allow Youtube. He only gets his tablet when traveling. He watches some show here and there. I have found 2 private coaches that will work with him so maybe that will help
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 13:39     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
oh stop, OP. It will be ok. who he is now at 6, is not who he will be at 16. he is not fully formed! just keep on exposing him to different kinds of opportunities and activities. it sounds like you are trying to fit him in a box- ie boys need to be good at sports. i know there's pressure around here but don't make him feel like he is "less than". take a chill pill and focus on all the great things about him when you are feeling insecure. something will stick eventually!
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 13:34     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Sounds like a justification to put him up for adoption. No Olympic medals by 6? What a disappointment.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 11:54     Subject: Re:My 6 year old can't do anything
Keep on trying. He is young. I thought I was going to be a soccer mom. My boys don't like soccer. I thought I'd be a swim mom. I insisted that the kids learn swimming and they joined a team, but it's not their passion. So we will just swim for fun when we can. They like tennis so they do that. And now they found rock climbing. For the first time, they said they would like to try a low-key rec class for basketball. So we'll see. They are only in 3rd grade.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 09:03     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He has tried basically every sport and is terrible. Not interested in music or arts. He won't practice anything and I do not know what to do.


Keep trying. Are you watching to be sure there are no physical issues? My 5 year old was slightly hesitant to run around like other kids and play soccer. I always felt like he was a little clumsy but drs brushed it off.
Finally I insisted on a PT eval and he did have some issues that have really improved with physical therapy. It can be a good way to give kids confidence.

Also - I have another child who is a serious athlete and super coordinated. He wouldn't play soccer, basketball or football. It was an issue of him not wanting to take the ball from other kids and not wanting any collisions while going for the ball.
Turns out he's an excellent swimmer, tennis player and runner. People (and gym teachers) are shocked he can be so good at some sports and so bad at others.
We tried golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, cross country/track, golf, football and flag football, volleyball, gymnastics, ice skating/ice hockey and swimming. I'm probably forgetting something in there. Point is you may have to try them ALL. Age 6 is a little young to have tried it all. I'd keep going. Try preteam at your local pool or some general gymnastics or rock climbing classes.

I have no athletic ability and my parents tried a lot. I like to think I have other talents and I was a very good student and went to a highly competitive university. Sports aren't everything.


This was/is me! I thought I was unathletic because I didn’t like the “ball sports” and that’s what the jock types at school were good at. Then I tried swimming and I was naturally good at it. With hard work I ended up on scholarship at a D1 power conference school. As an adult I am more athletic and agile than most people my age. Most of the jocks from school didn’t play sports past high school and are sedentary/overweight now. I just wasn’t aggressive as a kid so I was bad at any sport where you had to fight for the ball. I’m glad my mom let us try all different things because I never would have discovered my strength if I hadn’t.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 08:58     Subject: Re:My 6 year old can't do anything
Yes, you do have to chill. But I would also encourage you to play outside with him A LOT. General physical activity is so important. You should help him see that it's fun to play, fun to use your body, to run, jump, ride a bike, swim. I think the danger with some of these kids whose parents think they "can't do anything" is that they internalize that message.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 08:55     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just because he’s not good at sports doesn’t mean he can’t participate.


I used to think this way. You have no idea the long lasting trauma that a group of athletic 7 year olds can inflict on an uncoordinated boy.


^^adding, individual sports that use the whole body, don't involve a ball, also help build strength and coordination are the best options. Swimming, martial arts, and later cross country, fencing, etc.


Adding lacrosse


Really? It involves a ball, hand-eye coordination, fast running, and physicality. It's the nightmare of soccer all over again.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 08:54     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He has tried basically every sport and is terrible. Not interested in music or arts. He won't practice anything and I do not know what to do.


Let me guess, addicted to video games and youtube?


You know what? Sometimes this is the last refuge for a kid who has been repeatedly beat down by other kids for being physically challenged. It is a social outlet that breaks down that barrier and can be a very important part of healthy mental development and friendship building.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2023 08:50     Subject: My 6 year old can't do anything
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just because he’s not good at sports doesn’t mean he can’t participate.


I used to think this way. You have no idea the long lasting trauma that a group of athletic 7 year olds can inflict on an uncoordinated boy.


^^adding, individual sports that use the whole body, don't involve a ball, also help build strength and coordination are the best options. Swimming, martial arts, and later cross country, fencing, etc.


Adding lacrosse