Updated: June 6, 2016
Originally Published: June 5, 2016
As I sit here with the weather channel on in the background, I find myself watching the rain closely, torn between hoping it arrives before 11 AM and wanting it to hold off just long enough for my five-year-old to have his last little league game of the season. It’s a Sunday morning, and while I know that being part of the baseball team is beneficial for him, I wouldn’t mind enjoying my coffee at home instead.
Even if the rain cancels his last game, he’ll have another chance next year—I’m still in charge of that. Plus, he’s really starting to enjoy playing. At five years old, he may not be completely dedicated yet (he still takes breaks to sit in the infield or whines from the dugout about wanting a snack), but he’s definitely more engaged than when the season began. His skills are improving too; he can hit, throw, and occasionally stops a ball from rolling past him! For now, it’s about the fun, not competition.
Eventually, as he grows older, competition will become a factor. He might be one of the 70% of kids who stop participating in organized sports by age 13, according to a recent survey. And honestly, I think that’s perfectly fine, depending on his reasons.
At this young age, participating in sports is crucial. Youth sports promote teamwork, provide exercise, and teach discipline and practice. They offer kids their first taste of the games and physical activities that will likely be a part of their lives for years. If they don’t start early, they might miss out on discovering a potential passion or talent. My son will continue playing little league and other recreational sports for the foreseeable future.
However, when he’s older, I’m totally okay with him stepping back from organized sports—if it’s for the right reasons. If he loses interest because of overbearing parents or a culture focused solely on results that drains the fun out of the game, then that’s on us as adults. According to the Changing The Game Project, this is becoming increasingly common.
The reasons kids quit sports tend to stem from a negative mindset towards them. Loss of enjoyment, sitting on the bench too much, and fear of making mistakes are all unacceptable reasons for quitting, typically imposed by adults misunderstanding the game. Most youth teams aren’t competing for real stakes until the kids reach high school, and if it’s not enjoyable, it’s going to be hard to keep them engaged. It’s our responsibility to ensure sports remain fun.
When my son reaches around 13, I’ll be supportive if he chooses to explore other interests—as long as he does find something else to engage in. If he stops liking organized sports because he discovers new passions, finds he struggles to keep up with peers, or simply isn’t as competitive as others, that’s perfectly okay. He can seek out exercise, teamwork, and camaraderie through different activities, learning valuable lessons in both success and failure.
Not everyone is meant for competitive sports; I stepped back myself during high school. I found it disheartening to be sidelined in every game, but I still enjoyed playing casual games with friends and participating in intramural sports in college—those experiences were all about fun, not winning. Unless your child is on a fast track to the pros, the focus should be on enjoyment. If organized sports lose their fun for my teenager, I will gladly support him in finding happiness elsewhere.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to encourage my son to put on his baseball uniform. It’s not raining just yet, and he’s not 13, so it’s game time!
For more insights on parenting and related topics, check out this post on intracervicalinsemination.com and visit makeamom.com for expert advice on boosting fertility. Additionally, IVF Babble is an excellent resource for everything related to pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
Organized sports should primarily be fun for children. While it’s important for kids to participate in sports for their development, if they lose interest as they grow older, it’s okay for them to step back. The focus should remain on enjoyment rather than pressure, especially in youth sports.