Wonderfully written from a person I believe to have earned the right to be an expert in this field, mat or balance beam. The thought you put into our children is appreciated.
Great, great advice. I wasn't an athlete -- I played AYSO soccer in the Bay Area. Just for fun. But 3 of my 5 kids were in sports. We've had great coaches and awful coaches. My son learned to be a good man and good teammate/friend in part because of his great high school football coach. My daughter played competitive softball since age 11 (after 2 years of rec) and thank God her first coach was amazing. That sustained her during years of bad coaching (and I didn't know -- because I didn't play softball.) When she told me as a high school junior that she didn't want to play competitive anymore because she didn't want to play in college, just Varsity for her high school, it was the most mature decision she had made in her life. She realized she loves the sport, but didn't want to give 150% all the time and play through injuries (elbow, knee). Now? She's in college and coaches in a small high school for little money but great joy.
Love this one for so many reasons. Participation trophies send the wrong message to our youth. When one of our sons played rec soccer, they wanted to award them all a trophy.
AND the team asked the parents to pay for it. Umm NO.
They didnt even win a game. We took a pass on that idea.
At the final game, our son was the only one without a shiny trophy.
He said, "Why did everyone agree to that? We didn't win ANYthing."
Agreed! And it's ok not to win! Teaching kids you win all the time even when you don't sends the wrong message. And wonder why the med school students at NYU were mad their grades didn't reflect their "effort" and petitioned to have the Prof fired.
Fantastic advice - agree with all of it. My son plays football - started in 6th grade. He loved to play, had many ups and downs but no participation trophies All we ever wanted was for him to be a part of the team, strive toward a goal, and be healthy. He was fortunate to be a part of a fantastic team last year and is now playing D3 football in college - something that was not really on the radar until he was a senior. We supported this because he has an instant community of friends, structure and continued physical fitness, regardless of how much he ends up playing. Sports are fantastic when done right. A good, supportive coach who does it the right way is golden - someone who teaches how to handle the losses as well as the wins.
This should be a PSA for all participants thank you!
Wonderfully written from a person I believe to have earned the right to be an expert in this field, mat or balance beam. The thought you put into our children is appreciated.
Thank you Tim!
Great, great advice. I wasn't an athlete -- I played AYSO soccer in the Bay Area. Just for fun. But 3 of my 5 kids were in sports. We've had great coaches and awful coaches. My son learned to be a good man and good teammate/friend in part because of his great high school football coach. My daughter played competitive softball since age 11 (after 2 years of rec) and thank God her first coach was amazing. That sustained her during years of bad coaching (and I didn't know -- because I didn't play softball.) When she told me as a high school junior that she didn't want to play competitive anymore because she didn't want to play in college, just Varsity for her high school, it was the most mature decision she had made in her life. She realized she loves the sport, but didn't want to give 150% all the time and play through injuries (elbow, knee). Now? She's in college and coaches in a small high school for little money but great joy.
I miss Lolo very much! She treated every child in her gym, from beginner classes thru to elite, as if they were her own child. :)
She really did. It was such a gift to have had her as a coach. I think of her every day.
Thank you. Love seeing that you also have a 5 year old that loves gymnastics and you’re able to support her in the best possible way.
Love this one for so many reasons. Participation trophies send the wrong message to our youth. When one of our sons played rec soccer, they wanted to award them all a trophy.
AND the team asked the parents to pay for it. Umm NO.
They didnt even win a game. We took a pass on that idea.
At the final game, our son was the only one without a shiny trophy.
He said, "Why did everyone agree to that? We didn't win ANYthing."
He will do fine in life.
Agreed! And it's ok not to win! Teaching kids you win all the time even when you don't sends the wrong message. And wonder why the med school students at NYU were mad their grades didn't reflect their "effort" and petitioned to have the Prof fired.
Fantastic advice - agree with all of it. My son plays football - started in 6th grade. He loved to play, had many ups and downs but no participation trophies All we ever wanted was for him to be a part of the team, strive toward a goal, and be healthy. He was fortunate to be a part of a fantastic team last year and is now playing D3 football in college - something that was not really on the radar until he was a senior. We supported this because he has an instant community of friends, structure and continued physical fitness, regardless of how much he ends up playing. Sports are fantastic when done right. A good, supportive coach who does it the right way is golden - someone who teaches how to handle the losses as well as the wins.