Sports are a big deal in our family — a BIG deal. We expect our kids to participate and be active which makes for some pretty hectic seasons at times, but we feel like the benefits far outweigh any of the minor inconveniences.
So far we’ve tried soccer, t-ball, football, cheerleading, baseball, flag football, swimming and gymnastics. Whew, I get tired just typing that! Our number one rule? You may choose to try any sport; however, if you sign up, you are making a commitment, and you will honor that commitment and participate to the best of your abilities until the end of that season. Quitting is not an option.
My girls have settled on competitive gymnastics for the time being. Camden will be competing at level 5 this fall, and this will be Addie’s first year on the team at level 4. As you can imagine, this is a HUGE commitment, physically and emotionally, as well as financially. They spend upwards of 11 hours a week at the gym year round, but they love it. I’m so proud of their hard work, and I’m constantly amazed at the new skills they’re learning!
My two older boys have decided that baseball is their chosen sport for the moment. Ryne played catcher this past season, and Jace played a variety of positions including catcher and 2nd base, as well as pitching a few games. They’re both talking about looking for a travel team for the fall, but we have some reservations about going this route. I’d love some feedback if you have experience with this!
Being just four years old, Drew has only had the opportunity to play flag football so far, but he’s already talking about playing soccer and t-ball next year. Oh boy, our already packed schedule will be completely maxed out, but we’ll make it work.
Though the seasons and sports change, there has always been one constant — you can bet that you’ll find me and my husband on the sidelines cheering them on. We’re their biggest fans! Whether they hit a game winning triple or have a fall during their beam routine, we’ll be there to celebrate their successes and help to build their confidence back up after their failures. Isn’t that what being a parent is all about?
If you haven’t seen the clip of Aly Raisman’s parents cheering her on during her Olympic gymnastics team qualifiers bars routine, you really must check it out. It’s the best example I’ve seen of parents that are totally and completely there for their child. Never mind that they look more than a little awkward and crazed (and totally hilarious), they are unequivocally Aly’s biggest fans.
And I completely understand what they were going through in that moment. Every time my son throws a pitch, every time my daughter performs her bars routine, I am totally on edge and probably looking a little crazed myself, but that’s my kid out there. And I will root for them until the end!
Are you willing to make a bit of a fool out of yourself to cheer your child on? I’m betting the answer is yes.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post as part of the SocialMoms and Duracell blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
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Jody at Because I'm Me
After seeing your first photo I wanted to share this with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxhIhHv8oIM It’s the Big 10 mascots dancing to Call Me Maybe. Just a cute video, but my youngest son’s favorite.
Tara Kuczykowski
Very cute! Thanks for sharing — my kids are gonna love watching this.
Emily
LOVE the picture with Brutus. My kids adore him too. Go Bucks!!
Tara Kuczykowski
My boys had a flag football tournament at the ‘Shoe — so much fun! My husband has some great pics of my youngest sitting on the Block O in the middle of the field.
Brandy
Your reservations about a travel team are understandable but it is yet another chance to see your amazing little one play. My 8 year old wrestles (MO states champ for his divison to end his first season), plays football, competes in archery tournaments, and this year was on a town team and a tournament team for baseball. Our schedules are overwhelmed, especially when you add 2 (almost 3) siblings who each have 1-2 sports at any given time. Ive been told that I am crazy, and that I shouldn’t let them do so much but they are also all straight A students, very talented artisitically, and we give ourselves plenty of family time- starting with dinner together every night, even if we have to eat early or late.
Tara Kuczykowski
Thanks for your insight, Brandy! I think the biggest concern we have is whether the boys would be on the same team. They’re only 12 months apart, so for rec ball, they’re only in the same age group every other year.