Not SS but a kid dilemma

cjparker

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I would strongly encourage him to give it a try for at least a few weeks. Once he gets past that initial "I don't know any of these guys" feeling, he'll probably thrive.
 

Blackbird

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Stripping down in front of a locker-room full of people? NO THANKS!

I agree with the others, there are other activities out there too, however I agree with Wildsky, that is how it is here, so your son might be better off in sports if he was good at any of them - if popularity and social success play into any of these choices, anyway.
 

pioneergirl

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Ok, here's my thought....

My son was made to try every sport that the school and summer clubs offered. He's not a sports type kid, but did as he was told. He's ok with basketball, but contact sports he doesn't like. His dad is making him take Karate to ensure that he can defend himself against a bully.

This year he starts Jr. High, and has opted for band and boys choir, and is super excited about it.

That being said, I say let him choose, but ensure that its something. I was a band geek, and have good friends from all that 'geeky-ness' , so who knows, he might have some of his best memories from something not-so-athletic. :D
 

Wildsky

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What about Soccer, my kids both play it - its not a school organized thing.

Its not a very long season of it here - a month or two, but my son enjoys it, and there was only two other kids from his school that played this year, and one of those kids was his sister :lol: They had tons of fun and my son's team only won, one game, my daughters team didn't win any - but they had a blast anyway! And got to know a bunch of kids from other towns nearby - we had to join up with the other towns in order to make a full team.

Its relatively cheap as well, the Ayso charges a set fee (I think it was $100 for both my kids) and they get a uniform (and insurance while they play), we did buy a pair of shoes and shin guards, my daughter wore an old pair of shoes my son wore a few years ago.

I even made a friend, kinda. We both would sit and watch every practice and just started yappin... :lol:

Look up the Ayso if he thinks he might like it.
 

Lady Henevere

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If it were my kid, I would tell him to pick a school sport to do this season, and if he doesn't like it he doesn't have to do it next year. That way he gets the benefits of being on the team, getting to know people, etc., but it's not a huge commitment if he hates it since it's just a single season.

(I have found school sports to be a great experience for my DD. She tried out for her third season of cross country today, and also really enjoyed softball last year. She hates soccer though. Sports is certainly not the be all and end all, and it's not a measure of a child's success. But I think team participation is a great life experience and full of lessons for adulthood. JMHO.)
 

Javamama

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If my parents had made me play a sport I would probably still hate them. I am not a "joiner" I do not do well with large teams and lots of hustle and activity going on, it wears me out. I am not a naturally outgoing, social loving person, and that's OK. I like individual, self paced challenges. So knowing who I am, I would never force one of my kids to do something that disagrees with their nature. My son is just like me, my first daughter is quite the opposite. IMO, if they are healthy, have at least a couple of good friends and are doing well in school I wouldn't push it.
 

Haywood

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I have a 16 year old, a 14 year old and an 11 year old and I can tell you this: Do not force them to play sports. Everyone will be happier in the end.

It would be much more beneficial to everyone to get them involved in the church instead. Or at the very least let them find their niche on their own.

My advice is to recognize what your child's interests are and provide them with options to cultivate those interests. Not only will they have a better chance at excelling because it is something they enjoy but they will not be resentful of you for pressuring them.
 

Dace

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Wow, you guys are great! I appreciate the feedback :)

I believe in 'strongly encouraging' kids to participate in sports, but a sport of thier choosing.

He played soccer, basketbal, and water polo each only one season because he tried it and didn't love it enough to sigh up again. He basically played baseball and football from Kindy on up thru 7th grade. That last year was the year that HE came to realize that he wasn't one of the star players :/ stupid coaches..... and it ruined sports for him.

I agree that he should find some extra curricular activity, but DH and I were discussing just telling him her needs to pick a physical activity and there are only two choices.

Thanks for helping me clear my head, you all are right on the money :)

BTW....he is keeping his ears open for extra curriculars at school and wants to take guitar lessons.
 

Wildsky

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Dace said:
That last year was the year that HE came to realize that he wasn't one of the star players :/ stupid coaches..... and it ruined sports for him.
Same problem we had with coaches for baseball. They seem to pay all their attention on the couple of players that play well, and the ones that don't either get put down or ignored.
 

noobiechickenlady

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I agree with much of what has been said thus far. I would not make my kids take a sport they were not enthused about, but I would require some sort of group activity, chess, band, science club etc.

Or, if there aren't any of those types of clubs, see if he can start one? Is he outgoing enough to put a little effort into it? At my high school we didn't have any offerings but football & basketball, one of the students started playing chess with our math teacher during study hall. Then the teacher brought Othello, then someone else brought Trivial Pursuit and so on. At the end of my Jr. year there were 20 "members" and we had tournaments and scheduled meetings. We got permission to hold meetings after school in the teacher's classroom. I have a lot of fond memories from that time.

And now, 13 years later, the teacher is no longer there but there is still an informal game club.
 

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