So far the only organized sport any of my kids have played is soccer. My older daughter has played for three years, my younger daughter just one. Despite my younger daughter’s goal scoring prowess, she has already let me know she is not playing again. My older daughter has also decided she has had enough. I’m fine with it. I can find other things to do with my Saturday mornings. But I do want them to be involved. So the questions is – what’s next?
Based on how they hit and throw when we play t-ball in the backyard, I think they both have the basic skills to be decent softball players. However, neither one of them have brought that up as something they want to try. Their most recent suggestions have been my seven year-old wanting to play volleyball (which I don’t even know if she knows what it is), and my six year-old saying she wants to bowl (which she just did for the first time today). I’ll support them in whatever they want to try. I just hope what they want to try doesn’t involve travel, lots of fees, or expensive expensive equipment.
I’ve your in the same situation, here’s some thoughts to hopefully help.
Choose the Right Sport For Your Kid
You need to make sure that you are selecting the right sport for your child. Even if you hate the sport, its not for you, its for them. If I can sit and watch kindergartners play soccer, so can you.
Some sports are physically demanding than others, and they may be more high risk than others. Think carefully about what you’re getting your child into. My six year-old daughter is, shall we say, delicate, so even if she is suddenly interested in lacrosse, maybe I don’t go out and sign her up before showing her a game or two first.
Once they find something that is age-appropriate, and that they also like, there is no shortage of streaming options and channels to watch pretty much any sport. If access to certain sports such as basketball is restricted, you will need to find out where to watch NBA in Australia. Or cricket in India. Or minor-league baseball in Iowa. It is all out there, find it and show your kid to see what they think.
Get a Physical Exam
A physical exam from the doctor is a good idea before you enroll your child in any kind of sport. Every parent wants to make sure their kid is healthy, and that is even more important once they start pushing themselves physically in a sport.
The last thing you want is for your child to go out there and puke all over the field, or pass out on the bench. You have to check with their doctors and look at their underlying health before you make a final decision about which sports they are going to participate in.
Proper Gear Is a Must
You have to make sure that your child is getting proper gear when you decide to let them participate in sports. Remember that all sports require different types of equipment Don’t send your kid out on the soccer field in baseball spikes, and don’t bring a kickball to soccer practice. Every sport has its unique equipment, but some things are universal – like mouth guards and proper footwear.
As a parent, you have to make sure that all this equipment you probably shelled out too much money for fits correctly and that it is in good working order. Make sure that you’re regularly checking all your child’s gear then throw them out and replace them as needed.
Before and After the Game Matters
Before and after the game, warming up and cooling down to ensure that they don’t become injured very quickly. Stretching and light exercises will prepare your child’s muscles as well as their cardiovascular system for all the intense activity that will come when they run out on the field.
You don’t want their body (or their attitude) to have a meltdown and for them to become injured as soon as they head to the field. Make sure you also sensitize them to cool down as well.
You can tell them these things as a parent, but as long as your child is on a team where there is a good coach, follow the coach’s plan. Don’t have your kid do their own thing or have their own pre-game ritual. The kid who doesn’t listen to the coach is the worst player on the team, no matter how good they are.
Hydration and Nutrition
Kids are going to burn off a lot of energy and their bodies are going to come under a lot of physical strain, so it’s your job as a parent to make sure that you are giving them everything they need to keep their body as healthy as possible.
Ensure you are providing balanced meals that include proteins, carbohydrates as well as healthy fats that are going to fuel their bodies. I know it can be temping and easy to have your kid crush a happy meal on the way to the game, but don’t do that. Making sure the food they eat is delicious and good for them is essential when it comes to ensuring they get properly nourished.
Don’t Over Do It
There are some signs that you need to pinpoint to see if your child is over-training or not. Doing too much is going to lead to injuries and burnout. I know pretty much every pitcher in the major leagues has had a least one Tommy John surgery, but that shouldn’t be in the card for your kid.
You always have to make sure that you’re looking out for those signs of irritability, fatigue, declining performance and even injuries that happen way too frequently. Make sure your child is taking adequate rest days to snooze and rejuvenate their body.
Having your child pushing their body constantly is a recipe for ill health. It’s also a recipe for you running to the doctor consistently and this can wear you out.
Maybe my kids will pick bowling next. Maybe they’ll pick pickle ball. Who knows. What I do know is that they, and I, will be ready. Unless its competitive cheer, I don’t think I can be ready for that.
I Think Therefore I Dad 