As youth sports prepare to resume, I find myself reflecting on the physical activity levels of my children. My son, Alex, who is 13, is not particularly inclined to engage in exercise unless there’s significant motivation. With various activities like physical education, soccer, and even casual bike rides canceled, he has transformed into a couch potato, preferring to immerse himself in video games day and night. I suspect many parents navigating a pandemic with children can empathize with this struggle.
Just the other weekend, Alex was pleading for extra screen time. Frustrated, I finally told him he could earn his gaming hours by being active. Surprisingly, he ended up pedaling on our stationary bike while juggling a table and watching his tablet, which was a win in my book. The following day, he awoke bursting with energy—ah, to be 13!
My two daughters, Mia and Sophie, face similar challenges. While our family takes walks with the dog, options for physical activity are scarce, particularly since both my partner and I are working from home and cannot supervise outdoor games. Playgrounds remain closed, leaving us with limited opportunities for movement. Like countless other parents, I yearn for my kids to be active, but the ongoing cancellations complicate matters.
Considering Extracurricular Activities
Recently, we received three sign-up sheets via email—two for soccer, one for gymnastics. After the kids went to bed, my partner, Lisa, and I mulled over the pros and cons of enrolling our children in sports during this pandemic.
For years, our household has upheld a rule of one extracurricular activity per child. We want our kids involved but recognize our time constraints, as well as the need to avoid overwhelming them. Now, we found ourselves needing to factor in a new consideration: can these activities be safely conducted amidst COVID-19?
We discussed our local COVID-19 situation, noting that we live in a rural area of Oregon with relatively low case numbers. We acknowledged that our region was already in phase 2 of reopening, and if things continued to progress positively, we would likely reach phase 3 by the season’s start.
Lisa highlighted the distinctions between soccer and gymnastics. Soccer is played outdoors, allowing for ample space between players. Additionally, the ball is kicked rather than thrown, reducing the risk of virus transmission from multiple players handling the same object. In contrast, gymnastics occurs indoors, presenting a higher risk of spreading the virus. The email we received did not mention any disinfecting protocols for equipment or mask requirements, raising further concerns.
Making a Decision
After much deliberation, we concluded that soccer felt like a safer option, while gymnastics appeared too risky. This decision inevitably placed us in a challenging situation with our children. It’s always tough to explain to kids why some can participate in activities while others cannot, regardless of the reasoning. We faced a choice: either opt for no sports for anyone due to gymnastics’ risks or explain our decision to the kids and help our middle daughter, Mia, explore alternative sports until gymnastics becomes safer.
In the end, we chose the latter. We signed Alex and Sophie up for soccer and discussed options with Mia, who was understandably disappointed but handled it reasonably well. She’s currently deciding between soccer and cross country.
Embracing the New Normal
I find myself frequently discussing the “new normal” these days, and this situation is no exception. I used to fret about ensuring my children completed their sports seasons, managing dinner times around practices, and navigating hectic schedules filled with multiple games and events. Now, I must also consider the genuine risks of their participation, beyond the typical scrapes and bruises.
As communities begin to reopen, many parents will find themselves engaging in similar conversations. We will need to weigh the risks against the benefits and determine what is best for our children, taking into account local conditions, the nature of the sport, and the potential for infection. Our goal remains to keep our kids safe while also promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
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Summary
As youth sports begin to return, parents face the challenge of balancing safety with the need for physical activity for their children. After weighing the risks associated with different sports during the pandemic, one family opted for soccer while postponing gymnastics for safety concerns. This situation reflects the ongoing adjustments families must make in the new normal of navigating extracurricular activities amidst COVID-19.