Sports

I went hiking with my friend this weekend.  She has 2 girls that play flag football (they are 5 years old).  As we were hiking she was explaining some of the frustrations she was having about her daughters being in organized sports.   As she was talking it brought back memories of when our kids were in soccer.

Both of our sons were in soccer and they were fortunate to have their Dad be their coach.  I think they were 8 and 7.  My husband ran into some of the same pitfalls that happens in organized sports.  It really comes down to what is the goal of the organized sport.  Many parents and coaches think the main goal is to win at all costs, my husband's goal was to teach the children soccer and sportsmanship.  Even though the kids were 8 and 7 some parents wanted my husband to not let certain kids play as much as others and they complained if the score was close and my husband put in someone who was not as good as some others.  My husband told the parents that they all paid the same amount of money and the goal was to learn the game and sportsmanship.

Some things to consider when you sign up your child for organized sports:  what is the goal, who is the coach, what other children will be on their team and who are the other parents.  Sometimes you have to just roll with the punches, but it is a good idea to do a bit of research.  If your child is in an organized sport don't become part of the problem, use it as a teaching tool and remember your children and God are watching your reaction as much if not more than the circumstances.

Be wise, pray and have fun with your kids if you do sign them up for an organized sport.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.  Proverbs 26:4