For my family this is what we love. The kids love to compete and have a passion for the game.
For my boys, it's has been hockey, football and baseball. My daughter is doing softball and it includes travel ball. It's the game or practice itself that makes it worth it to my kids. I've seen them build better self-confidence through atheltic sucess. My husband and I truly enjoy watching them play.
For us sports fans it's not boring or a inconvience to watch our kids work hard with their team and push. The scholarships are great if offered, but just getting to play is pretty awesome too. If you really love the game!
If travel sports becomes a "job" your child will drop out. It should always be about the fun of playing. It is the parent's job to make sure the child is safe, but I would also say it should be the coach's #1 priority. If it is not, and winning surpasses it in importance, which results in over-extending the child, then the coach has lost his/her way. Winning is fun, but should not be at the expense of the child. Over-extending can sometime get lost in the excitement of the moment, but it is incumbent on th ecoach to always try to keep that focus.
Rating
The Follow up is from Sports Mama by: Sports Mama
Experience brings awareness and knowledge.
Rating
Follow up by: Anonymous
Through all these travel experiences, I've been enlightened. Although is can be great there is issues.. They are children And I've seen overuse and injuries.. My kids have remained Healthy and its a parents job to keep it that way. It's healthy to let them be kids. If they are going to play in college that will become a job. Let them enjoy it and don't let anyone take the Fun out of it. Working hard and practicing is always important. If the natural talent is there its there. Youth sports have changed and you can't push too hard. They are kids..
Rating
It's About the Passion by: Dan
Nicole,
Thank you for your note. I agree with you. It is about the passion the kids have for playing these sports that make it worthwhile.