Strollerderby

Raise a Sports Obsessed Kid in 12 Easy Steps.

Posted by Melissa Summers

My husband and I really can't get into sports, we try especially when a local team is doing well, but we just can't seem to drum up much enthusiasm. Both our kids have taken a spin in various sports like soccer where my 6-year-old spent many hours running in the vicinity of the ball (but rarely kicking it) and giving out copious high fives. Clearly, they're not intense about sports because we're not intense enough. Thankfully Matt Keenan has laid out a plan for us to get on board with the sports-obsessed parents among us. (With tongue firmly planted in cheek.)

I see my first mistake in tip one, "Coach from the sidelines. Yell, scream and bark out commands." I mostly talked to the other moms about everything except the game. Tip #2 make sure your child has all the latest equipment. Uh, here's my son at a 1/4 mile 'fun run' we did yesterday, he's wearing his regular clothes and the shoes he wears everyday. I'm screwing up all over the place! Next time he'll be outfitted in Cool Max gear with New Balance running shoes.

I am being entirely serious.


+ DIGG + STUMBLE
Posted Jun 04 2007, 02:03 PM
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Comments

 

bbbgmom said:

Ugh.  I am a sideline chatting, toddler chasing, easy-going, slightly flaky mom.  But my kid is intense.  So I need to be there for him - he has chosen all of his extracurricular sports with our support (but never any pressure from either his dad or me.) This year he landed in Little League for the first time.  I'm happy he loves it.  But, LOTS of the parents subscribe to Matt Keenan's plan - especially the "coach from the sidelines" bit.  I can't stand it!!!!!!  I seriously almost slapped a father who was yelling at the opposing pitcher (an eleven year old kid) during his son's at-bat.  I almost lost it.  (So maybe I'm really not that easy-going.)  

Anyway, how does one reconcile one's own preference for casual pick-up games and one's child's desire for more formal sports?  On one hand I think the experience is good for him - seeing the craziness of the world in a relatively safe setting and building his confidence as a decent athlete - the hard work, focus, stamina, etc.  But on the other hand I crave our simpler days of ball with a few neighbors at the park...

June 4, 2007 2:23 PM
 

Sheri said:

Nate is going to be 5 and joined soccer this year.  Very cute.  He did have a fun time, and kissed a girl on his team.  He wants to do it again.  So we will sign him up.

Matt played Challenger baseball and had a blast.  He also played regular soccer for 2 years.  He tried his hand at football, but didn't want to get "his butt kicked", so he was the manager for 3 years and moved onto concentrating on track, which he is great at.  

My dh umped and refed for years.  Notice the past tense.  We couldn't stand the fans anymore.  I say "we" because Matt and I used to attend the games he was reffing or umping.  The players were nasty and the fans were worse.  Once word got around that Matt was autistic, they would try to rile Paul up by calling our son a "retard".  These are parents and some young kids.  (like 12-15 year olds)  Paul finally gave up after our car was keyed by someone who obviously didn't like a call.  What was sad is that Paul was very good at what he did.  He was fair and he loved the kids.  

I hope my younger two sons enjoy their time on whatever sports teams they choose.  But if things get too wierd, they're outta there.  

June 5, 2007 12:09 AM

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