The Bloggers With The Most To Say
Would you sign your kids up for teams/events they weren't interested in?
"They're too young to know what they want!" vs "You shouldn't force them to do things they don't want to do!"
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kara C on -
That's a really tough question. My parents signed me up for t-ball and soccer when I was little, but I don't ever recall protesting against it. I loved playing both (t-ball eventually turned into softball) and miss it!
I think the best thing would be to introduce kids to sports at home first, like playing catch in the park or kicking around a soccer ball, shooting hoops at a park; that way, they can determine for themselves whether or not they like it without committing them to a team.
If the kids joins and then lost interests after a few weeks, months or even years of playing, I wouldn't make them continue, no matter how good they are. I think there's too much pressure these days by parents for kids to perform above and beyond their expectations. -
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Permalink Reply by cooper on -
I grew up in a place where they didn't seem to have parents rushing to live vicariously through their children's sporting fame, especially when their children were like 4.
As long as whatever the child is doing is fun for the child it is fine. If the kid wants to play soccer or t-ball let them, but don't just place them in the sport of the day at random. Otherwise the parents should spend free time doing physical things with their own child, biking, walking in the woods (nature walks), going to the park to kick the ball around, take the child snowboarding or skiing and so on and so forth.
Let them decide as they get older, because as far as athletes go if one is athletic, can run, and has stamina and coordination, they can play most any sport (excluding possible pitching).
On the other hand if a small child appears to be a prodigy at something and they want to do it there is no harm in trying it, but their should be no expectation that a very young child has to stay in it if they do not like it. -
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Permalink Reply by Margarita on -
No. What's the point? Forcing someone to do anything is not a good idea.
If you think they'd enjoy something but haven't expressed an interest, take them there, see if they like it. If they come home crying, there's no point. But if they look like they're having fun, well then you've succeeded.
I think there comes a point in the TWEEN age where they start changing their minds about things they like and that's when piano lessons or gymnastics suddenly becomes a thing of the past and they start wanting to not go after all the money and time invested by the parents, that's when the battles start. -
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Permalink Reply by Cait on -
I think that if the child is obviously opposed to the sport, or not ready for the team sport atmosphere, then don't sign them up. My parents signed me up for each sport, and I eventually rejected each one after a few years. It was fun at the beginning, but when it got more competitive, I made it clear I wasn't having fun anymore.
It's difficult because I've heard stories from my parents, aunts and uncles about how finicky we were as children. There were times when we seemed uninterested in the sport when it was time to sign up, but once the season actually rolled around, we had fun. I think it's really hard to make a call about it now - it's a situation where you have to know your own child's preferences and capabilities. -
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
Hmm. I guess it would depend on the child. One thing I would sign them up for regardless of their interest level is swimming lessons. I just think that's a vital thing to learn and despite the fact that I whined about lessons as a kid, I'm really glad my parents made me take them.
I also used to whine about my gymnastics practices, and my parents' solution to that was to tell me I was free to quit at the end of the payment period. They always asked me before signing me up for the next season, and made it clear that once I was signed up there was no backing out and it seemed like a good way to learn about following things through.
I would hope to have a kid who was interested in some kind of sport or physical activity, but if they weren't I might just have to pick one for them.
That said, I wouldn't try to push soccer on a kid who was more interested in ballet or something. -
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Permalink Reply by Elle on -
It depends. If the child expressed an interest in it, then sure - I'd encourage them to at least try it. If they didn't like it, then that's fine. However, I would never force my kids into anything that they didn't want to do, or didn't enjoy. I wasn't forced into anything as a child - I went to Brownies because I wanted to and had loads of fun. If I wanted to do anything else, my parents would have let me.
I used to be a theatrical agent, and the amount of pushy parents signing their kids up in the hopes that they'll be in the next Harry Potter film was immense. I've met some kids who really aren't interested, but the parents' greed takes over.
Children should be encouraged to take up activities, but not forced. -
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Permalink Reply by Martin S on -
Yes, I would push for my kids to play organized sports for at least a few seasons. I think it helps their coordination, athleticism, and confidence in doing physical things. Even if they only played a few sports for a couple of years, I think they would be better off in the long run. Obviously, I would not be a dictator about it. If he/she has an interest in soccer, I'm not going to insist he plays basketball just because that's what I might be interested in, but I would strongly encourage them to get involved in sports.
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Permalink Reply by Kendall on -
Like Martin, I'd want them to play some kind organized sport if only to help with their coordination and to make some new friends or hang out with ones they all ready have. I'd probably test the waters and see what they liked so I knew what we should check out.
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Permalink Reply by Smart Ass Sara on -
No, I wouldn't. My parents never forced me to do anything but I had friends who wer and were miserable. They ended up being more rebellious whereas my parents supported whatever I wanted to do but never pushed.
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Permalink Reply by Krysten (After 'I Do') on -
Honestly... no.
My parents never did that to me. I found my own things that I loved and joined them. I honestly think I would have been miserable if I had been forced to join something I didn't want to. So I wouldn't do that to my kids. -
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on -
I think it's okay to challenge them to try new things and step out of their comfort zone but if they try it and really don't like it, then I don't push it. Sometimes they may say they don't like it but may end up liking it, but I wouldn't force them to do it if they really hated it. That's so counterproductive.
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Permalink Reply by Jen Chapman on -
There's nothing wrong with encouraging your children to try new things - they may end up liking something they hate (for mine, it was meatloaf ... not a sport).
In my opinion, everyone (kids) should try everything once - with the exception of illegal substances and activities, of course. If you hate it, never try it again! But at least you know for certain.
And when it comes to sports, events and activities, a kid will be apathetic about something he/she is not excited about - so why make your child participate in something they can't or will not put their everything into. Seems pointless. -
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