I think that every parent has been a sports mom or dad at some point in their lives. I am no different. MY son started his sport “career” at the rip old age of 5 when he learned to swim and joined a swim team. He swam on that team for many years. During those years, he also tried out soccer, but he hated to run. He had a t-ball and softball stint, but he hated standing around and would end up picking grass during a game. Oh and then as he got older, he wanted to play flag football. That he liked somewhat and played for several years but never wanted to play regular football. Soon he came to realize that his favorite has always been swimming. Even water polo, which he has played for 4 years is not a favorite.
This year he is a senior and is in his final year of swimming locally. I love to go and watch his meets even if he has a bad day. He likes having me there as support during his best event. Yesterday, he qualified for championships for the first time ever and today he will swim in his best event, the 500 yard freestyle, again a huge group of other swimmers. I cannot wait to see this race. Even if he stinks, I am still proud of him. Yesterday, he dropped 4 more seconds off his original best time. That in itself is an achievement.
I think sports is a fabulous esteem builder in a way that eventually the child realizes. He hated most sports he played but as sports moms and dads we are there in the corner cheering them on regardless of how they do. I am glad that my kid realizes that he has a favorite sport and has stuck with it. What sports did your children play and did they love or did it because they had to?
(Kids and Their Favorite Sports) I had two of my children involved in baseball at the same time. There were many practises and games during the summer time, seems like we lived out of our car. But it kept them very busy and out of trouble so that is a plus for sure.
I am excited for him. I will be outta here for a while today to go and enjoy his race. I am excited for him! YAY for the grass pickers! I think they all eventually find their true calling and embrace it. We have great kids, don’t we??
Sounds like a great mom, too. Hope it went well. It does sound like he found his place and made his mark. Happy Good Friday!
Congratulations to your son! That is a marvelous accomplishment, and I am so glad that you are a part of it, too. It’s great that you go to his meets…very important part of self-esteem and feeling loved unconditionally. My son played soccer. As a child, he was the grass picker…the boy off into space, but as he grew up, he developed a love of it that lead to coaching and even being a ref in high school.
Congratulations to the 2 winners.
My kids liked to play baseball and when they were in Little League I was always there to cheer them on.. As you said I think it is important to them to have outside activities and these activities can make them feel more confident in other areas too.
I am a huge sports fan and will watch just about any sport. I am not very athletic but I am a huge supporter. I have never missed a soccer game that my boyfriend has been in and kids’ sports will be supported and watched as well.
I loved sports growing up, especially running. I didn’t think anything of getting up early and going to one practice in the morning and then a different practice after school. Sounds exhausting now!