How many sports do your kids participate in?

[golfgal]

I have a good question...

How many of you, put your children into these sports/activities, with the hope that one day, it will fully/partially pay for college?

I know I do!!! Can you say sports scholarship?

Both of DH's brothers gained partial or full sport scholarships to great universities(Penn State & Villanova), so I can only dream that my children will do the same.

How much money do you plan to spend for them to get that scholarship too? The likelihood of a kid getting a full ride anywhere is pretty small. We have some friends who are banking on their DD getting a "full ride" scholarship for soccer. They have her playing in the Premier Soccer league in our area-at $5000/year and have for many years. She practices daily, year round, some of those practices START at 10:00 PM. She also plays school soccer in the fall, basketball, both school and travel league in the winter and more soccer in the spring. The money they spent on her soccer alone could have fully funded college had they invested that money--just something to think about.

Our kids pretty much do one sport at a time. In the fall they have played soccer (the twins) and DS16 does marching band. The twins will do marching band next fall instead of soccer. In the winter our oldest doesn't do anything and the twins play basketball-both school ball and travel ball. Travel ball only has about 2 hours/practice/week and then tournaments on weekends. School ball is only 2 months long so it is really pretty much one sport. In the spring DD13 golfs for the high school varsity squad and DS does the jr program at the course. Our oldest runs track. This keeps us plenty busy but for them it is just enough. We have found that once they get to high school the schedule for us is much easier since practices, etc. are generally right after school so it is less running around for us and our evenings free up considerably.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have a good question...

How many of you, put your children into these sports/activities, with the hope that one day, it will fully/partially pay for college?

:

LOL- not me- she plays sports becasue she thinks its fun and for exercise- I have no illusions though- she is not good at most of them LOL.

 

[Cindy B]

We are the one activity sport per time people as well. Many years ago (my son is 14 close to 15), that was NOT the norm and we were ostracized for this decision.

At that time, DH was away for business often and I was doing everything. Currently DS needs to get his grades up so he's only doing the school play and Algebra II! (yes, its bad when Alg II is your activity!)

DD is in basketball now. Track is starting soon and she wants to do that.

We like our weekends free from running around. It's too much stress.

 

[mjkacmom]

DD6 has dance all year round- we will do soccer in the fall, and we want her to learn to swim so she will stay in it- we are starting this for the 3rd time in a couple of weeks and will do it until she learns how!! Alot of my friends/ family have their kids in stuff. She loves it, and always wants us to do something or go somewhere- so we are giving her stuff to do. LOL

Swimming is the one activity that my kids had no choice about. You turn 3, you are enrolled in swim lessons until you can manage at least one stroke. Some of my kids were NOT natural swimmers, so I'm glad I pushed - they were all on the swim team last summer. Now that they swim, it's totally their choice if they want to enroll.

 

[Pin Wizard]

One. And at $150 for the season, it's enough for me! I'm sure more costs with it will be coming down the road.

It's taken DS YEARS to find a sport he REALLY likes. It's his first year playing, so the trick will be to keep him interested in it and not quit after a year. It's extremely disappointing when the coach sticks someone in a position because he "needs them" to play it. Good way to kill a new interest! Apparently, two defense kids will be gone next year being they are currently seniors. Big choice...attack, middi, defense, goalie. In my book, defense and goalie have to be the most boring and least amount of play time (hopefully!) DS made it clear what position HE is interested in. So he's already stuck in a position he's not fond of. And yesterday he missed his first practice. I'm afraid I'm going to have a tough time keeping him going to practice because of this.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We like our weekends free from running around. It's too much stress.

I agree with this a zillion percent! We did the running when he was little. Flag football, soccer, baseball, swimming. I finally burned out! That was it for a few years until he became interested in lacrosse this year. I'm actually looking forward to these games. If it's warm enough, we're going to head over to the college this afternoon and watch the men play their first game today.

 

[mom2travel]

How much money do you plan to spend for them to get that scholarship too? The likelihood of a kid getting a full ride anywhere is pretty small. We have some friends who are banking on their DD getting a "full ride" scholarship for soccer. They have her playing in the Premier Soccer league in our area-at $5000/year and have for many years. She practices daily, year round, some of those practices START at 10:00 PM. She also plays school soccer in the fall, basketball, both school and travel league in the winter and more soccer in the spring. The money they spent on her soccer alone could have fully funded college had they invested that money--just something to think about.
.

That is so true! Our kids participate in their sports because they love them - they tried, they enjoyed, and it became their passion. While we certainly wouldn't mind scholarships, who knows if they will even be participating in these sports through high school. For DS I will say yes to still playing tennis, because he is already in 8th grade and has talked to me about how he would like to play tennis in college and at which universities (I'm sure that part at least will change a few times in the next few years). But whether he'd be considered for a scholarship a few years from now is another story - not to mention all the variables that could make him change his mind about wanting that.

DD also talks about college gymnastics, but geez she's only in 3rd grade - plenty of time to change her mind, get injured, or change her passion. Some parents of her teammates though do talk about college scholarships and I just shake my head on the inside... Yes, ok to dream, but let's be realistic.

To me, once it stops being fun, it is time to stop. Until then, the kids can practice as much as they are able considering school.

 

[mjkacmom]

One. And at $150 for the season, it's enough for me! I'm sure more costs with it will be coming down the road.

It's taken DS YEARS to find a sport he REALLY likes. It's his first year playing, so the trick will be to keep him interested in it and not quit after a year. It's extremely disappointing when the coach sticks someone in a position because he "needs them" to play it. Good way to kill a new interest! Apparently, two defense kids will be gone next year being they are currently seniors. Big choice...attack, middi, defense, goalie. In my book, defense and goalie have to be the most boring and least amount of play time (hopefully!) DS made it clear what position HE is interested in. So he's already stuck in a position he's not fond of. And yesterday he missed his first practice. I'm afraid I'm going to have a tough time keeping him going to practice because of this.

My DH coaches ds10's travel soccer team. I'd say almost all of the kids want to play offense, but that's not possible. DH puts kids who play offense the best in those positions. I don't know how old your ds is, but at this age, the kids learn to play their positions. However, if they're up a couple of points, DH will let some of the defensive players play offense. Ds is their primary goalie. Sure, he'd love to play offense, and get a chance to score, but he's a good goalie (and not that fast ), and he knows that he's part of a team. Just another perspective.

 

[mvazul]

so my question is this....

how many sports are your kids involved it?
do you feel like you are overloaded?
do you get criticism from friends?

I haven't read any other comments yet, but wanted to give our answers...

My son (14 - will be 15 in August), is in basketball, cross-country, track and field and is in marching band, concert band and jazz band. My daughter (just tured 7), is not in any sports yet, but we're hoping to get her in Little League this spring. My son also carries a full honors course load. He is on the first honor roll each marking period.

I don't feel overloaded. But, more importantly, he doesn't feel overloaded. The only time he gets streesed is when a cross-country meet happens to be the same day as a football game. Since he is in marching band, he takes part in the pre-game and halftime shows. Those days he needs to make a choice, but would like to do both. I used to only allow one acivity a year. As he got older, I have eased up on that rule as he proved he could handle both the activities and the school work.

We really don't get any criticism from friends/family. They are just amazed he can be so active and keep a straight A report card!! I just hope it doesn't set him up for unrealistic expectations for college. He may have things easy now, but college will be a whole different world.

Michelle

 

[Mandychelle79]

DD-5 Dance From Sept till Early June, Fall Soccer and Spring Soccer.

DD3- Not in anything yet.

Right now summers are OURS. I grew up in a marching group and never had a summer where we could just go.

I will allow 1 or 2 sports plus a musical lesson per season.

 

[Nascia]

Our 12 year old is on sports overload at the moment. We're looking to drop some but he really enjoys all he does. We can work with coaches now regarding practices but next year he will have to pick as he will be on school teams. For instance football and soccer are in the same season as are basketball and skiing. Fortunately, our oldest will be driving by the time DS 3 and DD start.

Currently we have:

Year round DS7 Karate (4 days per week); DS12 various basketball leagues (4-5+ nights a week, plus 3 to 4 basketball camps in the summer)
Aug through Nov DS12 Football (Mon-Fri w/ some sat games)
Dec through March DS 7 and DS12 Skiing (2 to 3 days/ nights per week)
March through June DS7 Baseball, DS12 Soccer (both Mon through Sat)

 

[Nascia]

My DH coaches ds10's travel soccer team. I'd say almost all of the kids want to play offense, but that's not possible. DH puts kids who play offense the best in those positions. I don't know how old your ds is, but at this age, the kids learn to play their positions. However, if they're up a couple of points, DH will let some of the defensive players play offense. Ds is their primary goalie. Sure, he'd love to play offense, and get a chance to score, but he's a good goalie (and not that fast ), and he knows that he's part of a team. Just another perspective.

Just wanted to say, DS12 would rather play on defense. He is on offense a lot because he is quick and can handle the ball/ score well. He doesn't complain, but he has told us he would rather play defense. He has great defensive instincts and said that he likes to get the kids on the team mad by shutting them down. He particularly likes it when the other team has a kid(s) that is full of himself.

 

[IDoDis]

DD age 12 is a figure skater, so I'm at the rink with her 4 nights a week and 5 or 6 nights before a competition. She really doesn't have time for any other sport and with the cost being around $800 per month when she's not competing (more when we travel), that's all we can afford.

DS age 9 plays YAFL football which keeps him busy from the end of July through early November. He's also in scouting and takes guitar lessons (both once a week). He takes swimming lessons for a couple of weeks during the summer.

DH and I both work full-time. DH takes DS to most of his things while I freeze my buns off at the skating rink.

 

[golfgal]

That is so true! Our kids participate in their sports because they love them - they tried, they enjoyed, and it became their passion. While we certainly wouldn't mind scholarships, who knows if they will even be participating in these sports through high school. For DS I will say yes to still playing tennis, because he is already in 8th grade and has talked to me about how he would like to play tennis in college and at which universities (I'm sure that part at least will change a few times in the next few years). But whether he'd be considered for a scholarship a few years from now is another story - not to mention all the variables that could make him change his mind about wanting that.

DD also talks about college gymnastics, but geez she's only in 3rd grade - plenty of time to change her mind, get injured, or change her passion. Some parents of her teammates though do talk about college scholarships and I just shake my head on the inside... Yes, ok to dream, but let's be realistic.

To me, once it stops being fun, it is time to stop. Until then, the kids can practice as much as they are able considering school.

In all likelihood, DD will probably get some golf scholarship offers. She is a good golfer now, could play for a lot of smaller colleges already, mainly because there just aren't that many girl golfers out there. Will she go to a top 20 golf school, probably not, but those scholarships aren't all that big anyway. She will mostly get academic scholarships that will be more then a golf one.

I think where people see the most citicizim is when you have kids in multiple sports at the SAME time, not throughout the year. A kid could play 4 different sports, one at a time, and not have a full schedule. It is the kids that play 3 sports at a time that are the ones that are overloaded-and probably injury prone.

There was a girl in our old town that played volleyball and basketball, year round for both of them with no breaks at all. By 8th grade she had stress fractures in both legs, had to sit out an entire year and by her junior year in high school couldn't participate in ANYTHING because of the injuries-but she was going to get that scholarship you know. It is NOT good for kids' bodies to play one sport year round (let alone 2 or 3).

 

[taximomfor4]

1 sport each. They can change it the following year/season and try something different, but never more than one at a time.

3 dd's do Irish Dance (on the cheap. Inexpensive school, less expensive USED dresses, and NO flights to competitions.)

Ds does baseball. Just city recreational league. He thinks about trying basketball (recreational), but so far hasn't done it. He also did one year of Irish dance. I think he just wanted to see where the girls were going all the time!!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

My DH coaches ds10's travel soccer team. I'd say almost all of the kids want to play offense, but that's not possible. DH puts kids who play offense the best in those positions. I don't know how old your ds is, but at this age, the kids learn to play their positions. However, if they're up a couple of points, DH will let some of the defensive players play offense. Ds is their primary goalie. Sure, he'd love to play offense, and get a chance to score, but he's a good goalie (and not that fast ), and he knows that he's part of a team. Just another perspective.

I kind of have to laugh at this because my 9 year old DS is a defensive whiz. He's got pretty significant grass allergies, that keep him from running on the soccer field for long periods of time. But he plays defense like a chess player -- watching carefully, anticipating 2 or 3 moves in advance, and when the ball gets near the goal he's ALWAYS in the right place. Seriously, it's like he can see the future -- he'll be standing still, watching and then suddenly he'll move 6 feet to the left for NO reason that I can see, and then 4 moves later suddenly the ball comes right to him. When I ask him "how did you do that?" he says "well I noticed that number 4 and number 7 are friends, they always kick to each other, so when 2 got the ball and 4 was open I figured it would go 2, 4, 7 and 7 always kicks a little to the left, so I moved left".

The problem is that his team is actually really good (this is a surprise because it's just a bunch of neighborhood kids, the coach and parents are super laid back -- as in last year not one single person counted wins/losses, the coach never plays the good kids more he's always perfectly fair, they practice the bare minimum for their league, and they all go to public schools with very little gym and no soccer fields, whereas much of the opposition goes to private schools with beautiful fields and gym every day), and the coaches are instructed not to let the score get too uneven, so they stick my kid on offense, and move the lightning fast aggressive kids to defense where they get bored and the ball goes right past them into the goal.

Am I supposed to complain about this?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

My 9 year old DS plays either very low key rec soccer (one Sat. a.m. game, one afterschool practice each week) or very very low key hockey "development" (no games, just 1 1/2 hours of fun and practice each week) each season.

He does Tae Kwon Do about twice a week during the school year.

In the summer he goes to "sports camp" all summer, mainly because I need the childcare and he likes it -- he does rock climbing, kayaking, archery, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and swimming there.

He's just asked for drum lessons, which I'm looking into, and also for fencing lessons, which around here start in the fall. My guess is we'll try drums and then in the fall he'll need to chose between sticking with drums or trying fencing. He's also wanting to try out for the spring school play. I'm guessing he'll get a non-speaking role, since he's at the very youngest end (it's 4th through 8th graders). In the fall he hopes to join drum line too. Those last 2 are afterschool during time he'd be in daycare otherwise so they aren't a problem if he joins.

I am under no illusion that he'll get a sports scholarship, but I want him to be healthy and busy doing things he loves, and to build a life long habit of exercising.