peer pressure

[htmom]

OK I have a seven year old (first grade) and he LOVES Basketball. He played Upward Basketball last year and had lots of fun. Now his "best friend" , who played last year, says that he dosen't want ds to play either because he gets "too tired" (I heard him tell ds last evening, now ds is saying he dosen't want to play because running makes him tired, hmmm dosen't take a lot of figuring where that comes from)
A bit of backstory on the friend, his whole family is very overweight, and they don't really take care of themselves, the dad had heart trouble this last year but they still didn't even change thier lifestyle. They are great friends of ours but their priorities are very different. Both kids have asthma and it makes it hard for them to get excercise and the mom told me this is why she dosen't make them play or even just "get outside".
Well now ds is saying he won't play this season. I do not want him to back out because he really loves it and it is great excercise in the winter when it is so cold outside. I don't know how to discuss this with him because he is now just saying he won't play because running makes him tired. (which is a lot if hooey because just last week we went on a three mile hike on Sunday and he was upset because we took a truck back down the mountain)
We are a very physical family. We hike a lot and we all play sports. It almost hurts to hear ds say this to us.
What should I do, just let him follow his friend? Or sign him up and "make him" play? I don't want to be "that mom" but at seven he needs to know that being a follower is not always the best way, if he loves something do it.

 

[genius118899]

I'd say have him play. My younger brothers did Upward, and it's a great program, it's not all about basketball. Also, you need to instill a healthy lifestyle in him now, which it sounds like you're doing an awesome job of!

 

[DVCLiz]

I'd say, "In our family everyone plays a sport - which one do you want?" Give him a choice if basketball really isn't his choice, but don't let him sit at home either. I bet he'll choose basketball.

 

[All American]

I'd say, "In our family everyone plays a sport - which one do you want?" Give him a choice if basketball really isn't his choice, but don't let him sit at home either. I bet he'll choose basketball.

That's a great place to start.

 

[EthansMom]

DS was considering quitting Swim Team (because the pool was cold). I told him, "You aren't going to sit around the house, watching t.v. and playing video games all winter with no excercise." When he realized that his t.v. viewing and video-game playing was commensurate upon excercise, DS decided that using a thermal swim suit might work out well.

 

[htmom]

thanks everyone! I will have a "talk" with him tomorrow. I really appreciate your input

 

[Chipmunk89]

Well, I guess I am that mother. If you know for sure the reason behind his "lack of interest", then I would not give him a choice in the matter.


I bet once he starts playing basketball, he'll be glad he did.

 

[htmom]

Well I told him this morning that we would be having a talk about b-ball after school and he broke down and confessed. He told me that his friend (duh) told him that b-ball was too hard and made him "run too much"
I asked him if he remembered how he felt when he made his first basket during a game last season and everyone cheered. He told me he felt really good. So I told him that today was the deciding day. He either played b-ball or he finds another sport or form of excercise for the winter. He said he really wants to play basketball. And then ran to the garage to get his b-ball and the air pump, and practiced "his moves" until the van for school picked him up!

 

[macaronigal]

Must feel good to know you have done a good job raising him...he sounds very responsible. Also seems like you and he have a good rapport since he was able to tell you the truth about the situation.
Keep up the good work!

 

[htmom]

Thank you! It does feel good.
(until the next hurdle of being a parent!)

 

[Chipmunk89]

Glad everything worked out!!