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Scout team |
Well, my lovely wife and I are expecting a bouncing baby boy in 5 weeks. He's due on December 11. We're all excited and getting ready, as this is our first child. We both waited a little late in life to get married, me at 35 and she at 33. That was 4 years ago.
I got into a discussion with a guy today, and it really got me to thinking. I'm almost a generation removed from the parents of my kid's peers! So I look at things and have different ideas at 40 than the 20-year-olds I'll soon be in contact with through school and other events. At any rate, we were talking about how so many parents these days have so much stuff going on, like Karate lessons, soccer practice, tee ball, pee-wee football, swimming, blah blah. I was raised on a farm, and my Dad, God love him, had me out there EARLY every weekend doing chores and working with cows. I hated it at the time, but have since learned it taught me the value of a strong work ethic and the results of just putting your head down and getting it done. However, I regret not being able to participate in our football program, as I had good size and speed, but that was then. My point, or question, is this. How do you balance all this stuff? I'd LOVE for my son to play football and be good enough to go to a school like Alabama. But the odds are really long on something like that. Team sports are great, but at 5 years old? I personally think the time we spend together will be what shapes him and makes memories, and that doesn't include watching him from 5 different sets of stands every week. Sometimes it seems to me modern parents are keen on dropping their kids off at everything they can sign up for, either to keep from dealing with them, or to make themselves feel like better parents. Why not just go fishing together instead of band practice, soccer practice, baseball practice, the swim meet and on and on? I'm trying to sort all this out, and any help you guys can give would be appreciated. "We didn't have no money to buy you a present so we just all spit in a jar." |
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"Pappy #32" |
Brian,
I have 8 kids so I'd like to take a shot at this question. First of all, your kids need to have responsibilities and they need to know that those are very important. They will teach the kids the meaning of hard work and, as you, they will appreciate it in years to come. 2nd, let them participate in team sports if they want to. Don't push them though. Encouragement is nice but if they don't want to then just let it go. Playing team sports will allow them to learn the concept of "teamwork" which will also help them down the road. 3rd, always make sure that there is a time each week that is set aside that is dedicated to "family" togetherness. That can be that you always eat supper together and talk about everything or you can have a "family night" where you spend the entire evening together doing things that they enjoy. Good luck.  Rest in Peace Julie! “Live every moment of every day to the fullest but remain humble, for we never know when “we” may become one of less fortunate.” ---Me! MySpace page: Link |
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All-SEC |
We live in the country, but not on a farm. My girls (5 & 7) swim year round, but still have work around the house they have to do. My advice would be to start small and don't let the activities get out of control, because even with only one sport we stay extremely busy.
__________________________________________________________________ Marathongs...the coolest running shorts you'll ever wear!!!   |
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All-SEC Nope and I'm still a fan! So get over it... |
There's time to make those decisions. You don't know yet what kind of personality the kid will have, etc....
Focus first on solid foods and potty training and work your way up from there.  I started with my first kid at half your age. She started college this fall. I would have thought she would be a girly girl but that didn't happen until after about 10 years of soccer. My son came 5 years later and I would have thought he would be the athlete. He's quick and talented but he's become such a good actor that the sports no longer interest him. My point in telling you that is that you'll need to wait and let time and personality dictate what to expect. Take lots of pictures because before you know it you'll be attending their HS graduation. One more thing, enjoy them while they're too young to talk and before they realize they're smarter than you.  ************************************************************************* There'll be two dates on your tombstone. Everyone will read 'em. But all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em. |
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"Admin" |
We let our daughter take dance and tennis. These were activities that happened once a week. One was during the week, one on a Saturday.
It's a good way for kids who are too young to go to school and stay at home to make friends and socialize. She didn't like tennis for long, so we dropped it, but she took dance for about a year. Eventually she got tired of having to get ready every Monday after daycare. So we let her take a break from it. Team activities are great as long as they stay fun. But be warned, if you take more than one activity, each kid has a birthday. You'll get invited to them all. It adds up. Steve Mullen Online Producer The Tuscaloosa News |
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Scout team |
Good points, guys, and I appreciate it. I suppose I'm getting a little ahead of myself.
Little Nick (yes, we're talking about naming him Nicholas--is that sick?)will have his own personality, so we'll have to see how he develops and let him decide what he wants to do. It concerns me to see SO MANY activities out there for the kids, and parents feel they have to sign them up for something every night of the week. I want my kids to grow up like I did, with parents who love you and spend time with you, and doing stuff like hunting and fishing. Thanks for your insights! "We didn't have no money to buy you a present so we just all spit in a jar." |
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New recruit 2002 |
Coming from a good man whose parents were not so good i offer a few small pieces. Talk and Listen to your kids. always show them the respect they deserve as individuals. More importantly, Know what you stand for and don't bend. "A penny saved is a Congressional oversight" - I'm sure a lot of people |
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