My daughter was two and a half when we signed her up for Lil’ Kickers soccer. Living in a condominium I wanted her to be exposed to other kids, sports, teams and once a week on Saturday mornings for an hour didn’t seem like we were joining the sports parenting cult. Or maybe we did join the cult. When she pulled her leg back on that first kick and hit the squish ball – I was ready to sign the scholarship papers. Thirty seconds later when she lost interest and just watched other kids run around her – I was ready to give up and couldn’t bear watching her play. It’s been 10 years since those days in Wrigleyville when 30 minutes in an hour class could be taken up by a diaper change and my daughter is still playing soccer. Why am I such a great sports dad? What can you do to be more like me?
- Have a daughter who doesn’t care. My daughter will go along with whatever we say so that she doesn’t have to put effort forth. Great kid but no desire to make a decision. Soccer and music were her first two activities and they are her current activities. I wish we had chosen cooking and bathroom cleaning but we didn’t.
- Be cheap enough to question new things. When you see an activity like hockey, or equestrian, or travel dance make sure you loudly state how goofy those parents are for not giving your child the international opportunities brought to them through soccer. Be willing to accept new cheaper challenges like basketball and cross country as a way to cross-train for soccer.
- Move from the city to a suburb in which the arts scene is so pathetic you don’t want your kid to take a theatre class or singing lesson because it will do more harm than good – embrace the only thing left – SPORTS!
Ultimately, I’m not 100% sure how a piano playing accountant and a grant-writing, actor spend 30 hours a week at games and practices but I know that it just sort of happened.
The Reluctant Sports Parent 