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    Home ยป Life

    Kids and Sports: Perception Vs Reality

    By Debi 31 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This site also accepts sponsored content

    I wasn’t sure, back before having kids, if I would have kids who played sports. While I like watching sports, and playing around in the back yard I wasn’t involved in any team sports. I did do karate and Scottish dancing as a kid. Hubby never really played any sports.ย  When they boys were little, hubby really wanted then to get involved and play.

    Anthony, who is now 17, was a little interested in being on a soccer team. While he wasn’t competitive, he did have the skill. He tried several times, on several different teams, he was just going through the motions and he wasn’t interested. Joey,16, on the hand, wanted to try everything. He tried a basketball skills class, soccer, t-ball, football, back to basketball, back to soccer. Then once he was in middle school, he found a love of running and really enjoyed cross country and track. He loved all of the sports, but for Joey, who is also not very aggressive and competitive, he had trouble not “doing things” He is an active and just wanted to play. We discovered that he is like me, and just loves playing the sport in the yard or at the park, and doesn’t really want to be on a team sport.

    Joey dribbling  for first time

    My girls on the other hand are excelling at their sports. Serenity is in her 4th year of cheer leading. She started off on a Pop Warner team. She has been cheering for them for 3 year, this being her 4th. But she also added in cheering for an all star Elite team this year. We spend 6 days a week on a cheer field. Willow, who is 5, just stated cheering this month, after doing 3 months of gymnastics. Both of the the girls are dedicated, willing to give up their free time and happy to practice even when they are playing.

    Serenity Cheerleading

    What makes the difference between the older boys and the girls? It isn’t talent, my boys did well at the sports that they tried. It is their drive and dedication. Many parents think that their kids will do fantastic in a sport or won’t be able to do a sport because they have or don’t have natural talent, or they do not fit a certain mold. In Perception vs Reality in Youth Sport by J A Patterson, I found some of the best athletes were people who didn’t fit into a certain mold. For Example, David Beckham was told when he was only 12, that he was too small for soccer and that he would never be able to play for England. According to a former coach, Beckham compensated for his size by practicing and specializing in free kick accuracy and that became his primary strength.

    There is a lot of discussing on what makes a great athlete vs a good athlete. There are thoughts that it is talent, consistency, physical, is mental, the drive, effort or attitude. I think it is a combination of it all. I also think it is how they get started.

    As a mom who has been on the side lines, and who is now a coach for one of my daughter’s teams, I have felt what it is like on both sides, and I have seen the parents on both sides. A lot of parents are trying to push their kids and it comes off and screaming and being too hard. Some parents take a much easier approach and some are nearly silent on the field. While you don’t want to be the parent screaming at the kids to do better, run faster, or yelling about the ball that the kids missed, or screaming at the refs for a call, you do want to be supportive to your kids. Tell them that they did good. Tell them that is ok that they dropped the ball. Tell them that you are proud of them for being on a team. And don’t yell at the coach. Coaches are usually volunteers who are working extremely hard to help your child succeed. If you are unhappy about something, just approach them and talk to them.

    Perception vs reality in youth sports

    As I was reading Perceptions vs Reality in Youth Sports, I have learned so much. I didn’t think that I would have many preconceived notions that were not based on my own experiences, but I would that I did. There is a passage in the book that talks about how your child’s experience in youth sports will eventually come to an end, and most likely quickly. Many parents end up thinking back and wish that they had enjoyed it more and not worried about the team’s record, whether she was playing as much as I wanted or why the coach didn’t put my child in the right position. For me, I might not stress over how well the girls do or where they are in the squads, but I know I get tired of all of the running. And that, sometimes, makes it hard for me to enjoy the games and competitions as much as I should. I plan to change the way I think about it all. I plan on enjoying it all a little more.

    If you have kids, plan to have kids, or just love sports, Perception Vs Reality in Youth Sports is a must read. And right now, you haveย a chance to win a copy of your own.

     

     
    Perception vs. Reality

     

     

     

    Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Perception vs. Reality in Youth Sports and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      November 01, 2014 at 6:41 pm

      I’m really glad you are blogging about this book. Sports are so good for kids and should be fun and not too stressful.

      Reply
    2. Lucky

      November 02, 2014 at 11:08 am

      I’m sure parents would love to learn how to better communicate, motivate and support their kids choosing to a play sport. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Shaney Vijendranath

      November 02, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Great post, thanks for sharing. I’m definitely reading this book.

      Reply
    4. Myrabev

      November 02, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      I have heard alot about parents who scream at the coaches etc and i think you’re right, we should all remember we human and should communicate not shout and also see what is best for your child by getting their input

      Reply
    5. Letty C.

      November 02, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      I have a very good experience with my son’s coaches. However, when he started I didn’t have a clue how to approach them.

      Reply
    6. Yona Williams

      November 02, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      What an insightful post…on a topic I never really stopped to think about. I know my parents thought I was an unlikely school athlete…I was clumsy, walked into walls (seriously), knocked into coffee tables, and tripped endlessly – I actually still do. What did I wind up excelling at? lol….hurdles. I wound up in track and field for three years, cross country running for one season, and played tennis during my senior year of high school.

      Reply
    7. kendall

      November 02, 2014 at 5:11 pm

      Great post! I am nervous for when my kids get to the age of wanting to play sports – I’m so protective! LOL.

      Reply
    8. Lynndee

      November 02, 2014 at 5:48 pm

      Our son is into soccer and modesty aside, he is doing really good at it. He’s the captain of their team actually. For us, the most important thing is, he is enjoying it and he loves the game. We don’t worry if they lose. That’s part of the game. But we do cheer to the top of our lungs whenever he scores. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    9. Heather

      November 02, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      This is a great post! My five year old is currently in Flag football and before that it was soccer, but they were both mom and dads ideas, not his. So from here on out, I will follow my son’s lead because I’m not sure sure he’s competitive in the sports arena. We’ll see though, he is only five. This sounds like a good book for parents.

      Reply
    10. michele d

      November 02, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      Looks like a great book to have specially when your children are involved in sports. Great post!

      Reply
    11. Pauline Cabrera

      November 02, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      Let kids be kids but teach them sports and they will be better adults.

      Reply
    12. Amby Felix

      November 02, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Very precious! My children are not into competitive sports, but we do play soccer, beach volley ball and tennis pretty regularly for exercise together as a family!

      Reply
    13. Touristmeetstraveler

      November 02, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      All kids should give sports a try, it’s good for them to learn teamwork.

      Reply
    14. Rubbie Anne Abad

      November 02, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      Im not into sports,really! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    15. Delia @ Happy Blogger Plaza

      November 02, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      I like the idea of encouraging kids to try a sport but not pushing it “just because” everyone else is playing it. I strongly believe we’re all different and so we should respect that, kids included. I never liked sports, but I’m very active ๐Ÿ™‚ Walking, jogging, and yoga are my favourites.

      Reply
    16. Jon

      November 02, 2014 at 11:32 pm

      I HATED sports as a child and my parents kept trying to sign me up for after school activities. Fact is, I’m all about exercising my brain, not my body!

      Reply
    17. JoAnna

      November 03, 2014 at 7:09 am

      Thanks for the book recommendation! I tried out so many sports when I was little and I always wanted to quit. I started taking art classes, which I preferred so much more!

      Cheers!
      JoAnna
      foreverinparadise.net

      Reply
    18. Mama to 5 BLessings

      November 03, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Sounds like a great book. My boys are in sports, I think some parents take it too far after all these are just kids.

      Reply
    19. Aisha Kristine Chong

      November 03, 2014 at 9:37 am

      I wish my mom knew about this when I was younger – they are too overprotective to even encourage sports.

      Reply
    20. Misa

      November 03, 2014 at 10:44 am

      I am glad I read your post it’s inspiring and learn new things. I wish my parents pushed me more in sports when i was younger. Or I would’ve been more dedicated in sports and doing it the right way. It’s really important to know and be supportive parents that would support the kids wants and hobbies like you do to your kids ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    21. Alyssa C

      November 03, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Great post, I definitely need to look into this book!

      Reply
    22. HilLesha

      November 03, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      My son isn’t really into sports yet (he’s 8). I never want to be one of those parents who push their children into sports if neither of my children plan on getting into sports. I also never want to be one of those parents who strive for their children to be perfect if they do get into sports. I have seen too much of both. ๐Ÿ™

      Reply
    23. Tanya Coffman

      November 03, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      It’s amazing how different personalities in children are. My oldest hated me for making him do team sports. After 2 years of him attempting to try – I finally gave in to the fact that he’s more into reading/literature then sports. My younger 2 on the other hand, are totally opposite. lol

      Reply
    24. Risa

      November 03, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      I think that sports help kids learn teamwork and should also be fun for them, but I also think that the competitive part should not be taken away from sports. I’ve seen the trend where they don’t keep score and I think that’s ok when they are really little but if I am shelling out big bucks for my kid to play soccer or softball or something, there should be a winning team!

      Reply
    25. Nile

      November 04, 2014 at 2:47 am

      Sports teach teamwork and build character and discipline. It’s the time that I think children should try as many sports and activities, and then decide what they like the best. My son is trying to still discover what he likes, but because he is in a small town and a very small school, he doesn’t have access to some of the sports and activities that larger schools have.

      Reply
    26. Adelina Stoiconi

      November 04, 2014 at 5:47 am

      I will have to share this with my best friend! Thank you for this post!

      Reply
    27. Krystal's Kitsch

      November 04, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      My son is two and already going crazy about basketball and soccer! I have a feeling he will want to play!

      Reply
    28. Jenise @ DIYFunIdeas.com

      November 04, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      Sports are definitely a great way to teach kids to work as a team, as long as parents don’t get too obsessive about winning all the time.

      Reply
    29. Melanie

      November 05, 2014 at 3:55 am

      This looks like a great book! I will have to give it a read!

      Reply
    30. Chrissy Mazzocchi

      November 05, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      My 15 year old loves Basketball so I’m hoping he’ll be on the highschool team soon!

      Reply
    31. Kath Rivera

      November 10, 2014 at 4:08 am

      Congratulations to the winner. My son loves playing basketball at home too but he’s more of a diecast car collector.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Debi!

    Welcome to my world. I am a 40 something year old mom to a lot of kids and a lot of pets. When I am not busy with the kids, grandkids, or animals, I love to do crafts and read.

    I love to knit and can often be found working on a project.

    More about me โ†’

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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