Max played soccer for the first time this Spring. He has enjoyed it for the most part. But, during the process I have realized that I am NOT a good soccer mom. Not because I don't love watching my little man play soccer. I do! I love it. But, we have played one season of soccer through a Christian soccer organization and it felt like our life was taken over during the season. An hour long practice one evening a week (from 6:30-7:30) which in our world translates to... no family time that evening. Most weekends had one game smack dab in the middle of Saturday and a few weekends had a Saturday AND a Sunday game. So, the reason I am not a good soccer mom is because I do not think soccer is that important. I think family time is important. I think time with our extended family is important. I think time with our church family is important. It think time spent giving and serving our important. But, I just don't think soccer is that important. So, I felt like the time commitment was too big for something without that much value...
And it was all kind of a bummer because I am not against kids doing activities. And I love sports! But, I am against sports being more important or taking up more time than family and church. I think the benefit of my son spending the day playing outside with his dad far outweighs a soccer game. I don't regret Max playing this season and if he wants to play again we will look for a league that better fits our family. Or, look for an activity that will better fit in with our life.
But, this was hard for me because I feel like playing sports and being busy just seem to be how everyone lives their lives with little kiddos. Sports = childhood these days, right? But, I just can't do it. With the hubs' job, our family time (which is totally limited to evenings and weekends) is precious. While I want to teach my son the values of being a team player, determination, and good sportsmanship I think those things can be taught through kicking a ball around with friends or through some other means. And I don't think that those values are more important than teaching my children to love God and love others. Which, is not exactly the lesson he learns by our life during soccer season revolving around his schedule and by saying "no" to time with friends and family.
So, tell me, am I the only one that isn't a good soccer mom?
Linking up at Growing Home and
K is doing soccer this season too. First time since she was 3. Actually I feel a little different about it. To me it kind of feels like a family activity. We all go together and root Kadyn on. Almost feels like a bonding experience cheering together showing our support. I really didn't want to do it when the idea was thrown our way, but K wanted to because her best friend was doing it. Her team practices once a week for an hour and does one game on Saturday mornings, so the schedule is a little better. I don't think my girls will be athletes for the long term, but it's been a fun little experience this year anyways.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you guys had a great experience! Your schedule does sound better!
DeleteAmen! I share your views on this, Katie. In fact I think you've helped me to clarify some of my own thoughts on this subject. We're trying to balance structured activities with family time, making family time the greater priority. Great post.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I am not the only one Becky! Thank you!
DeleteI am pregnant with our first child so no direct experience in this yet...And our family wasn't big on sports when I was little but this is exactly what I feel!! I want to take our family and we all go toss around the frisbee or ball as a family and not revolving our family and our time around the sports schedule. But I'm not a sports fan. So of my kids show natural ability and a LOVE of sports and just have to play then we will do it. But putting them in sports just for the sake of playing sports doesn't appeal to me. This have me a lot of food for thought!! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing from your own experience growing up! Glad to hear that I won't be ruining my children for life by not having them in every sport!
DeleteMy 2 older kids do soccer, swimming, AWANAS, and baseball for two months all at the same time too. I can tell anyone about being busy with activities. It is hard and stressful and every season I tell myself not again next time. But then we do it again. However, we do have family time during all this sports chaos. I have my younger kids with me in tow. It gives me uninterrupted time with them to read books, play on the playground, meet new friends, especially cheer on their brothers. If we were at home this precious time would most likely be absorbed by cleaning and other household tasks. We don't need as much commitments but we make the best of the ones that we do.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good way to see it! I probably need to change my attitude a little!
DeleteI'm right there with you! We've never done soccer (or any other spot) for that very reason. Family time is much more important and we are just not willing to sacrifice it at the alter of organized sports. We've found that our kids are learning the values of good sportsmanship, determination and being a team player in our home and through interactions with friends and activities that the whole family can be involved in.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear your success story of teaching those values through the family! Thank you for the encouragement!
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