My family moved to Westchester, Illinois, in 1956, where I began fourth grade at High Ridge School. At the time, my athletic skills consisted of catching and throwing a baseball. The kids in my new neighborhood taught me everything else – the nuances of playing various positions, mostly – and I became a decent player. In warm weather, on non-school days, I was always able to find or organize a game.
Jun 8, 2023·edited Jun 8, 2023Liked by John Rosemond
Thank you for this! I’ve avoided organized sports for our family (my kids are 10, 7, 3, & 1) because of exactly what you describe. It’s so sad to me how many families lay down their lives to the sports schedule. No family dinners, missing church, parents tag teaming all week with no time for each other.
My kids know the basics to a few sports thanks to the neighbor kids’ sacrifice to youth sports. They play games with the neighbor kids (when the neighbor kids aren’t at practices or games) either in our combined yards or the empty lot. No adults, conflicts managed internally by kids, little siblings watching on the sidelines and everyone goes home for dinner and start back up again after dinner.
I’ve had a little guilt that I was selfishly keeping them out of youth sports just because I don’t want to deal with the schedule and the crazy parents. I’ll just let that guilt go.
I can’t agree with this more. By age 7, some sports, like Hockey, are too late to get into- how is this possible? Parents have lost all sense of higher purpose and instead focus on worshipping children’s sports on Sundays. What’s worse, organized sports have made my 9 year old hate sports. Too much pressure and too many expectations. He likes golf much better as well!
Thanks for your response! Yep, how many kids who are forced into hockey or football, etc. will be playing hockey, football, whatever at age 30? Less than one tenth of one tenth of one percent, I'd venture. How many kids who take up golf will be playing golf at age 30? I'm still playing at 75!
Thanks for responding! Of course, I agree wholeheartedly! America has lost its soul, and American parents have lost their way. They are wandering in Dante's dark wood.
I continue to search for answers, and when I have a solid plan in place I will be letting you know our progress with our son. Please add me to your prayer list until we talk again.
Thank you for this! I’ve avoided organized sports for our family (my kids are 10, 7, 3, & 1) because of exactly what you describe. It’s so sad to me how many families lay down their lives to the sports schedule. No family dinners, missing church, parents tag teaming all week with no time for each other.
My kids know the basics to a few sports thanks to the neighbor kids’ sacrifice to youth sports. They play games with the neighbor kids (when the neighbor kids aren’t at practices or games) either in our combined yards or the empty lot. No adults, conflicts managed internally by kids, little siblings watching on the sidelines and everyone goes home for dinner and start back up again after dinner.
I’ve had a little guilt that I was selfishly keeping them out of youth sports just because I don’t want to deal with the schedule and the crazy parents. I’ll just let that guilt go.
Keep on rockin' in the free world, Jillian!
I can’t agree with this more. By age 7, some sports, like Hockey, are too late to get into- how is this possible? Parents have lost all sense of higher purpose and instead focus on worshipping children’s sports on Sundays. What’s worse, organized sports have made my 9 year old hate sports. Too much pressure and too many expectations. He likes golf much better as well!
Thanks for your response! Yep, how many kids who are forced into hockey or football, etc. will be playing hockey, football, whatever at age 30? Less than one tenth of one tenth of one percent, I'd venture. How many kids who take up golf will be playing golf at age 30? I'm still playing at 75!
America has lost its soul , and our children desperately need faith in their lives. ❤️
Thanks for responding! Of course, I agree wholeheartedly! America has lost its soul, and American parents have lost their way. They are wandering in Dante's dark wood.
I continue to search for answers, and when I have a solid plan in place I will be letting you know our progress with our son. Please add me to your prayer list until we talk again.