The Insanity of Year-Round Sports These Days

Greed has usurped our kids’ sporting leagues, and it’s killing our kids’ spirit.

When we played little league ball, there was one season for baseball, one season for soccer. One, maybe two practices a week, and a game on weekends. It was a perfect balance that let us get in some physical fitness, practice teamwork and discipline, and make lifelong friends and great memories, while also leaving room for spontaneous family trips, catching a birthday party, going for a hike, family time, and the freedom to explore new interests.  But now every league seems to have a practice every day of the week, competition year-round, and weekend travel teams. Perhaps fine for the high-schooler who has found their passion, but straight up craziness for younger kids who just want to have fun. As parents we feel pressured to keep them enrolled in it all, lest they fall behind their peers and become discouraged because their skills aren’t at the same level.

What should we do? I would encourage you to get all your kids’ friends’ parents together, stage a revolt, and burn down the new world order. But… in the likely event you don’t collectively align and wield the power to change little league schedules, give pause and consider the tough option of pulling back on what you commit your child to. Let’s weigh the facts:

Benefits of Sports:

• Physical Health: Sports offer a natural outlet for children to burn energy, develop motor skills, and build strength and endurance. This can lead to improved overall health and wellbeing, reducing the risk of obesity and other chronic conditions.
• Teamwork and Social Skills: Playing on a team fosters valuable social skills like communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Children learn to work towards common goals, respect their teammates, and celebrate each other’s successes.
• Discipline and Goal Setting: Sports instill a sense of discipline and commitment. Children learn to set goals, work hard, and persevere through challenges. This can translate into positive habits in other areas of their lives, including academics and personal pursuits.
• Mental Toughness: Sports can be a crucible for building mental resilience. Children learn to cope with both victory and defeat, developing confidence and self-esteem in the process.

The Cost of Busy Schedules:

• Reduced Family Time: With practices, games, and tournaments, children’s schedules can become overloaded, leaving little time for quality family time. This can create a disconnect between parents and children and hinder the development of strong family bonds.
• Leaving Parenting to Coaches and Teachers: While there are many benefits to giving your kids external council, don’t let them hog all the time! You need to be there for the tough questions, for imparting your values, and for ensuring their emotional needs are met!
• Missed Opportunities: Over-scheduled children may miss out on other important experiences like playing outdoors, exploring their creativity, or simply relaxing and being bored. These unstructured moments can be invaluable for fostering self-discovery, imagination, and a sense of wonder.
• Burnout and Stress: Constant pressure to perform can lead to burnout and stress in children. This can negatively impact their mental health, motivation, and overall enjoyment of the sport.

Seeking Balance:

The key lies in finding a balance. While the benefits of sports are undeniable, it’s crucial to ensure that children have time for rest, relaxation, and exploration. Parents can consider the following strategies:

• Focus on a few activities: Instead of overscheduling, allow children to choose one or two sports that they truly enjoy. This allows them to focus their energy and dedicate themselves to activities they are passionate about. Every now and then sprinkle in new activites for them to try, so they might ultimately find their true passion. Keep tabs on it all. What is bringing them joy? Feed them more of that and activities analogous to it.
• Set realistic expectations: Don’t put undue pressure on children to win or excel. Encourage them to have fun, try their best, and learn from both their successes and failures.
• Prioritize family time: Make sure to schedule regular time for family activities like meals, games, and outings. These moments are essential for building strong relationships and creating lasting memories.
• Embrace spontaneity: Leave room in your children’s schedules for unplanned activities and exploration. This allows them to be flexible, adapt to new situations, and discover new passions.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to kids and sports. It’s about finding what works best for your family, striking a balance between physical activity, mental well-being, and good old-fashioned family fun. So, relax, take a deep breath, and remember, you’re not raising a robot, you’re raising a human being. Now go forth and conquer that Tetris puzzle!