FYI: I am a red-blooded American male … who doesn’t care for sports. Growing up, I played them all; I just wasn’t very competitive and couldn’t wrap myself around the idea that people took it seriously. Seemed like a game to me, but to others, it was far more.
Maybe it’s one of the reasons my kids don’t do much with sports. Not that I’m against them or think less of others who like them, it’s just that it doesn’t seem all that important to me if my kids play them. Besides, they get plenty of playing on their own and every Tuesday night a group of my kids play pretty competitive volleyball with about 30 other young adults.
That said, I sure don’t mind NOT having to cart kids to games and practices during the week or weekends. The two years that we played Upward Basketball about did me in, and it was only eight weeks long!!!
Some non-sports families feel the pressure from family members. They hear comments like: “You need to have your kids play sports. That’s how they learn teamwork. It’s fun … great memories. You’re going to ruin them if you don’t let them …”
My answer? Whatever. Just do what works best for your family and your children. If you like sports and want them to be involved–do it. And if you don’t, don’t. Not every kid has to be involved in everything. My kids get to travel all over the country, but that doesn’t mean your kids should or are less than mine. You might have horses, but that doesn’t mean I need to get them. Others grow gardens, play instruments, build boats, or breed whales, but that doesn’t mean everyone should.
That said, go play some kickball, basketball, or nuke’em* as a family tonight.
Be real,
Todd
*The game is like volleyball except instead of hitting the ball, you throw the ball to the other side. Whoever misses the ball is OUT (and moves off the court). BUT if someone on your team then catches the ball one-handed, they’re back in.
The game is over when the last team member is out. The great thing about this game is that everyone can play.
I’m about ready to head out on my fall speaking loop. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in and say “hey.”
In October I’ll be in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Check my schedule to see if I’ll be speaking near you.
