You’ve seen them—the parents whose vehicles are adorned with their kids’ team stickers. Every weekend, and often during the week, they find themselves at games or meets. They might drive for hours to get to these events, sometimes paying entry fees or even volunteering at concession stands. Then there are the fundraising efforts, selling everything from donuts to cookie dough.
During the week, it’s all about practices. Almost every evening, after school and homework, their child is pushed by a coach who may lack any real qualifications. If it’s not every night, it’s at least three times a week, leaving families scrambling to prepare dinner between shuttling to practices. Family meals become a rare occurrence on those nights.
I refuse to live that way. I see these families and realize this is not the lifestyle I want for my own children. Let’s be honest: my kids are not destined to compete in the Olympics. None of them are the next Serena Williams or LeBron James, so sacrificing our family time for organized athletics simply isn’t worth it. That’s why my children, now and in the future, will not engage in organized sports.
Most importantly, I want to preserve our evenings and weekends. This weekend, there’s a local Tall Ships event, and we can spontaneously decide to go without worrying about a soccer game or baseball practice. We can sleep in if we choose, and there’s no concern about sports clashing with our church visits or brunch outings with friends who feel like family.
When my partner comes home after work, he doesn’t have to rush to grab fast food after practice. Instead, we can relax, eat when we feel like it, and take the kids out for a toad hunt by the river as night falls. Our other children aren’t tied down by a sibling’s athletic commitments; our quality time isn’t spent waiting on the sidelines of a practice field.
I do recognize that organized sports offer certain benefits. Kids can learn teamwork, resilience, and how to support one another. I’m not saying my children don’t engage in physical activities. They are not couch potatoes. Just last month, they hiked a mountain, even the 3-year-old, all on their own. We explore the woods by the creek, searching for alligators and laughing at fallen branches we call “logagators.”
They also kayak wonderfully. My 5-year-old has his own kayak and can navigate a calm lake. Meanwhile, my 7-year-old is eager to tackle Class II rapids, while the youngest rides in my lap. We often embark on these adventures with friends, fostering social connections amid our explorations.
They take sports lessons too. Yes, they’re learning figure skating from a former Olympian! He left competitive environments because parents became too intense, and there’s no pressure for my kids to compete. Right now, they’re in the “learn not to fall” stage, enjoying an hour of fun each week. We don’t travel to competitions or spend money on costumes, and we certainly don’t console tearful children over failed jumps. I even join them on the ice for added fun.
All the sports activities we do together stem from our desire to bond as a family. We derive joy not just from the activities themselves, but from spending time with each other. That’s what matters most: cherishing our family moments. You can call us clingy or homebodies, but we prioritize togetherness. This commitment means making sacrifices, and for us, the most significant sacrifice is organized sports.
Am I a bit wistful that my kids won’t experience T-ball, or that I’ll miss out on the cute pictures styled like real baseball cards? Yes. I see the adorable Facebook photos of toddlers chasing a soccer ball, and it does tug at my heartstrings.
However, we’ve made our choice, and we intend to stick with it.
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In summary, while organized sports have their advantages, I prioritize family time and togetherness. My children engage in physical activities that foster connection without the pressures of competition.