Getting the kids into sports!!!

[jsteinb95]

My daughter decided that she wanted to be in gymnastics, so I signed her up thinking maybe it would change her attitude towards thing, probably not, but I think it'll be fun for her!

I signed my son up for T-ball, and he's so excited! He told his Great Grandma that he's going to start next week and that he has to wear a cup to protect his b@lls. :disapprove:

I'm totally excited....can't wait! :cheer:

 

[Wolfman]

He told his Great Grandma that he's going to start next week and that he had to wear a cup to protect his b@lls. :disapprove:

I'm totally excited....can't wait! :cheer:

Gotta love kids and the ability to have zero tact! Great to see your kids getting into Sport...great way to keep them out of trouble later in their teenage years.

:thumbup:

 

[cv_rider]

My 6 yr old daughter does gymnastics, ballet, piano, and choir. I'm mostly in favor of getting kids involved in activities that can be lifelong sources of enjoyment. Gymnastics isn't that, and neither is ballet. If you aren't in the Olympics by the time you're 13, it's over. I'd prefer that she be engaged in less competitive and more recreational sports like tennis and soccer, things that you could be doing for decades to come. Since the only thing you can do with gymnastics is compete, it funnels you into an overly competitive environment where eventually you wash out.

We tried to get my my 5 yr old into Kung Fu, but it didn't align with his nap schedule so he always was grumpy when he arrived, and finally it just wasn't worth the headache so we quit. Now his main activity is watching Veggies Tales and The Backyardigans on DVD. I think martial arts are a good activity for boys or girls. It has so many benefits: good exercise; most teach a code of ethics around respect and restraint; gives you confidence to hold your ground against blustering bullies throughout school (I could have used some of that myself); may come in handy in a dark alley some day. I wish he would have stuck with it. I've heard that there are parent-child martial arts classes. That might be something I'd go for. I did Judo for a semester in college and really enjoyed it.

 

[jsteinb95]

My 6 yr old daughter does gymnastics, ballet, piano, and choir. I'm mostly in favor of getting kids involved in activities that can be lifelong sources of enjoyment. Gymnastics isn't that, and neither is ballet. If you aren't in the Olympics by the time you're 13, it's over. I'd prefer that she be engaged in less competitive and more recreational sports like tennis and soccer, things that you could be doing for decades to come. Since the only thing you can do with gymnastics is compete, it funnels you into an overly competitive environment where eventually you wash out.

We tried to get my my 5 yr old into Kung Fu, but it didn't align with his nap schedule so he always was grumpy when he arrived, and finally it just wasn't worth the headache so we quit. Now his main activity is watching Veggies Tales and The Backyardigans on DVD. I think martial arts are a good activity for boys or girls. It has so many benefits: good exercise; most teach a code of ethics around respect and restraint; gives you confidence to hold your ground against blustering bullies throughout school (I could have used some of that myself); may come in handy in a dark alley some day. I wish he would have stuck with it. I've heard that there are parent-child martial arts classes. That might be something I'd go for. I did Judo for a semester in college and really enjoyed it.

Well, for right now, we can only do one thing. I don't believe in putting my kids into something they don't want to do, so I left the choice up to them. I just want them to have fun! This is not being looked at as a life long career or being in the Olympics. My daughter wants to learn to play the piano, but I can't afford that, and it would be stupid for me to pay someone anyways, since I was a piano teacher for 3 years, BUT it's difficult to teach your own kids.

I really wanted to get my son into Brazilian Jui Jitzu (sp?), but he didn't want to do it. I don't have "dreams" for my kids and plans for their future. Just letting them be kids for now.

Thanks for you input.....I completely agree with Martial Arts! :thumbup:

 

[Deleted member 2349]

When my Daughter was 3 1/2 she started a Saturday morning soccer program, but she is big for her age and was the biggest kid in her class. She felt like she was playing with babies. But after one 8 week session she didn't want to play with the little kids anymore. Now we live too far from the place and nothing closer is open to kids until they are enrolled in school.

She also took a couple sample dance classes, as much as I want her to try new things. the costs of all the different sessions and costumes for the final recital (she has to take all the sessions to be able for this) was way too expensive. And its almost unheard of for the younger kids to have specific style lessons, they do a hodgepodge until they are older then they can specialize in a style.

I'm glad she is turning 5 in a couple weeks and starting school in the fall. She needs a good outlet for her energy.

 

[reiobard]

it is great that you are getting your kids into sports so early. i played soccer from when i was 6 or 7 until i was 20ish. i loved it, made tons of great friends and stayed in shape.


Keira and i saw a kid that was maybe 8 or 9 yesterday and he was probably about 130lbs. He couldn;t even put his arms down and it was really sad. I couldn't imagine letting my kid get to that point. Granted there may be something wrong with him internally, but they can treat most disorders that can effect weight in children. It was just plain unhealthy.

:thumbup: to being a good health oriented mom.

 

[keira]

Good for you for getting your kids involved in activities. My parents (same thing Rob and I are planning on doing) "forced" my brother and I into a physical activity and a musical activity of our choosing around the same time that we started school. I chose dance, and he chose martial arts (karate, to be precise). By the time we were in high school, he was doing cross-country skiing and fencing, and I was a 3-season athlete (field hockey, cross-country skiing, and track) in addition to fencing. We also both played instruments into college (I played trumpet, french horn and dabbled in other stuff, he played all versions of saxophone, and still does).

Both paths provided me with options that would never have been open without them. I have been on ESPN (played the national anthem at the 2003 hockey Frozen 4), traveled to Europe, seen Canadian pro football, competed at a national level in fencing, all the way to the Junior Olympics, and made more friends than I could ever imagine.

My belief is that your kids may not choose to be exposed to a lot of stuff, so forcing the exposure (and allowing the choice of HOW) to everything will open so many more doors and provide them with much richer opportunities and experiences than many parents are willing to try for, and support a healthy lifestyle. Think about it, the more stuff your kids are involved in at 14, the less likely they'll be running out drinking, having sex, or doing drugs. Again, good for you!!!

 

[Hellgate]

Very cool all, I think getting kids into sports is one of the best things a parent can do for them; promotes health, fitness, sportsmanship and social skills.

My eight year old son has shot archery for a year now and will be in his first competition next weekend. Its an outdoor meet, kind of like Sporting Clays for shotguns.

He got a wicked Matthews Menis compound bow for Christmas after shooting a recurve bow for a year. The kid can shoot the wings off a fly!

Next week is Spring Break and he is going to attend a golf camp for four days. He is totally stoked!

And if that is not enough he swims three times a week after school for an hour and a half.

It's all about the next generation. :thumbup: :cheer:

 

[blchandl2]

My daughter was in gymnastics for a while. It got to be a racket witht the gym pushing additional sessions, etc. It reminded me of the quickie lube places that try to sell you a ton of extras.

It was good for her though.

 

[Cloggy]

Well, for right now, we can only do one thing. I don't believe in putting my kids into something they don't want to do, so I left the choice up to them. I just want them to have fun! ....

my eldest (6) does both swimming lessons and ice skating lessons at the moment and my youngest (4) goes to kiddies dancing lessons but it's activities they wanted to do. They both like handicrafts so we occasionally let them go to the local (kiddies) handicraft club as well.

But as J says it's all about the kids having fun:thumbup:

 

[CdnMedic]

It's still a few years off for me, but I can't wait to get my kids (if I ever have any!) into Motocross.
There are always famillies at the races, dad and or mom race, kids race too! Great time, very active, spend time travelling to and from the races, you camp out every weekend and spend time with them, and if it's something they really enjoy you can use it so instill responsibilty.

 

[mellofelow]

I have boys 9 and 7 and it's very frustrating for me. I grew up playing tennis and love to compete. Although kids are taking lessons and enjoy tennis and swimming, they're still on the heavy side. Wife and I get into arguments and she thinks they're NOT obese. WHAT!!! And since I'm the jock of the family, I should be the one pushing them and take them out more often. But as a single income parent, I work long hours thus difficult to do so. Sorry for the rant.

Well, I admire and envy you. Think I should allocate some time to do the same.