As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to enroll your children in organized sports. This winter, my partner and I made a bold decision: we decided that our children, aged 3, 5, and 8, would not participate in any organized sports activities. While this may raise some eyebrows, especially considering my husband, Mark, and I were both active athletes in high school, we felt it was necessary for our family’s well-being.
Mark has fond memories of hockey, having spent countless hours on the ice from childhood through adulthood. Similarly, I enjoyed playing basketball during winter months. We’re not against sports by any means; rather, we’ve noticed how the landscape of youth athletics has shifted dramatically over the years. Nowadays, it’s common for kids to specialize in one sport at a young age, and organized sports often become just another item on an already packed schedule. Families can find themselves stretched thin, racing from one activity to another, which detracts from precious family time.
Research has shown that children today experience more stress than previous generations. High-pressure environments lead to increased mental health issues and inadequate coping skills. To combat this, the Challenge Success program from Stanford University aims to promote the importance of family time and downtime. Denise Pope, one of its founders, emphasizes the need to protect “PDF”—playtime, downtime, and family time. She argues that kids today should have as much free play as they do structured activities, a stark contrast to the busy schedules many families maintain.
Initially, I felt anxious when we entered a winter without sports commitments. I worried that our energetic kids needed sports to stay active and focused. However, as the weeks passed without organized activities, we discovered a newfound sense of calm. Instead of dashing off to basketball practice on a Friday evening, we enjoyed quality family time playing foosball, lounging by the fire, and planning meals together. Rather than rushing around on Saturday mornings, we found the time for a spontaneous ski trip, which ultimately felt more fulfilling.
As I sit here in our hotel room, surrounded by the sounds of my family’s laughter, I can’t help but feel grateful for this decision. While we won’t completely abandon sports, we will be more mindful of how to balance activities with downtime. Just because everyone else is signing up for spring soccer or lacrosse doesn’t mean we have to follow suit. It’s essential to assess the costs and benefits of adding more activities to our already busy lives.
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In summary, prioritizing downtime for our kids has proven to be a rewarding choice. By focusing on balance and family time, we are fostering a healthier environment for our children to thrive. As the saying goes, sometimes less really is more.