Major League Expectations, for kids…

Hi bounce, I signed up my son in all types of sports because I thought it was the right thing for him to be able to venture out into sports because I as a child and in college played sports. He started out in T-ball and went up as high as 8th grade in grammar school. In the interim of the baseball he found interest with Football. So while in grammar school he played football and all the way through high-school. I encouraged him each and every step of the way because I enjoy sport also. I might have considered what if he does so well and ended NFL, however my objective was more towards him having fun and or furthering on. My son did get a full ride to college with a Football scholarship and of course I was excited, however he turned it down. He explained to me that with his high grades he worked so hard to achieve that if someday he had a game incident his career may potentially end in an instant. So instead my son went on to a different college to study psychology. So my thoughts were really never geared towards his success so that I could retire but more towards his enjoyment, love for the sport and for him to do what he wanted to do and be successful at with his choices. Which all along that is what I hoped and was ambitious about, that he would love and do what he wanted to do.

My oldest is the athlete. He and I both have high expectations for him. He wants to play in the NFL.. I'm talking him into getting back into soccer because he is much better at soccer than football. Of course there's not much college recruiting for soccer.. but still I think he should stick with what he's best at even though he prefers football. My daughter is in dance and baton.. I do have visions of her continuing to dance through high school.. and maybe be on the color guard in high school too. That would be awesome. My 8 year old son starts baseball tomorrow. I don't have visions of him being any sort of athlete. He isn't fond of sports. He does it just for the heck of it.

Hi. bounce58. I have not signed my kids up for any sports yet. I know that my husband said that he wanted to let our son get involve into basketball or baseball very soon. But as my child's parent, I want to allow him to decide on what he would like to participate into as well. I would love for my son to get involved into sports, I just want him to be able to decide on what he likes as well. It is great that you have your son participating into sports. I believe that sports helps a child to stay focus on their goals in school and life. It also gives them a boost of self confidence too.

My children were in organized sports when they were younger. My son was a very talented football player. He always started and played offense, defense, and special teams. It was like when he walked on that field, he was a different person..in control of himself. He did not pursue it in his late highschool years..he lost interest and didn't want to play anymore. I was disappointed because I felt like he was talented but there wasn't mush I could do.

I'm not a parent, but I'll have my say, ok? ;) Heehee. =P First of all, it's nice to get kids into sports, I think. Advantages were mentioned above by someone else already. I'd also like to add, it teaches discipline, I think. Aim high! Isn't that what they always say? I agree, yes! And it's free to dream, isn't it? ;) At the same time, however, make sure that the kids know it is also alright if the highest goal is not reached... you don't want them feeling bad about themselves when they don't reach the highest goal... Maybe it would help if you break down the goals into different levels? And make sure to celebrate smaller goals as well. At the same time, encourage them to reach the higher ones. =) That could also apply to other things in life as well. ;)