Kids and Their Favorite Sports

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?