I was chatting with my partner, Sarah, about whether we should enroll our 10-year-old son, Jake, for another season of soccer.
“I’m really getting worn out from driving him to practice twice a week and spending our Saturdays at games,” she said with a sigh.
I echoed her frustration, recalling the previous Saturday when Jake had two games in different towns, which turned into a marathon of packing snacks for his team (it was our turn), rushing him to pregame practice, and then shuttling him from one game to another. By the end of the day, I found myself with a dirty, exhausted child in muddy cleats.
While I was at work, Sarah sat in our stuffy minivan with our 7-year-old daughter, Emily, trying to help her with homework, while our toddler was busy making a mess in the back seat. Jake was outside playing soccer with his friends at the park.
The truth is, neither Sarah nor I have ever been into sports. I dabbled in soccer and baseball as a kid, but only because my parents insisted. I hated every minute of it. I was a short kid with poor hand-eye coordination and zero enthusiasm for athletics.
When I think about my childhood sports experiences, I remember the ridicule for missing catches and kicks, and the overwhelming desire for the games to end. I was always praying the ball wouldn’t come my way, as I stood in right field next to a busy road, just kicking grass.
Sarah, on the other hand, also has her reasons for steering clear of sports. I remember when we were dating, she asked if I was into sports, and when I replied with a firm “No,” she couldn’t help but smile.
I assumed sports wouldn’t be a significant aspect of our lives until Jake, around age 7, expressed interest in soccer. He had friends already playing, and we thought it would be a fleeting interest. “He’s our son,” Sarah said. “I doubt he’ll be really into sports.”
We were clearly mistaken, as three years later, we found ourselves complaining about the exhausting routine of practices and games and debating whether we could keep it up with our busy family life.
As Sarah helped Emily with her homework, I realized how naive we had been to think Jake would mirror our disinterest in sports. Most new parents hope their children will blend traits from both parents, but kids are their own unique individuals. Jake shares my shorter stature and build, but he’s also got Sarah’s beautiful smile. What’s surprising, however, is how he seems to reject many things I once enjoyed with surprising clarity.
Yet, when I step back and consider the impact soccer has had on his life, it’s impossible to overlook the benefits, even though I was never a fan. When Jake struggled with his homework, Sarah told him he’d have to quit soccer to focus on school, and he quickly shaped up. Each season brings new friends, a noticeable improvement in his coordination, and a boost in his confidence. I’ve watched him evolve from a small boy chasing a ball to a determined, athletic young man.
Soccer has encouraged him to push himself in ways I never did at his age. I’ve seen him confidently charge at bigger opponents, dive into a crowd of kicking feet as a goalie, and seize the ball without hesitation. It fills me with pride to see his determination and self-assuredness.
To be completely honest, though I’ve attended nearly all of Jake’s games over the past three years, I still don’t grasp all the rules of soccer, and I can’t name any professional players. But it’s clear that playing soccer is positively impacting Jake’s development. Despite my personal aversion to the sport and the chaos of game days, Sarah and I ultimately decided to enroll him for another season.
Why? Because that’s what parents do. We set aside our own feelings and dislikes for the sake of our child’s happiness. Being a parent means cheering from the sidelines, even when the rules of the game escape you. It means sacrificing weekends, knowing that your child is thriving and enjoying themselves. So, while it can be draining, we recognize the growth and joy soccer brings to Jake, and we keep moving forward.
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this post, or explore this resource for pregnancy and home insemination tips. For those considering the journey, Make a Mom is an authority on the topic.
In summary, while I may not personally enjoy sports, I recognize their significant benefits for my son. They provide him with friendships, skills, and confidence, and as a parent, that is worth any inconvenience.