How Much Is Too Much?
As a parent, this is the toughest time of the year. I never have a problem with the regular season. Everything is structured. The coaches do the pushing. I just have to show up. Now, it is the off-season and I have no idea what to do.
The choices are endless and ridiculous. When my son started playing here in NC five years ago there were two choices – Summer Camp and Spring Leagues. If you wanted something more competitive, you chose spring leagues. If you wanted something fun and short, you chose camps. Not anymore.
Everyone has a camp. Everyone has a league. If there is money to be made, they are all involved. What makes hockey a little unusual is that I have never sent my son to a bad camp. I am sure they exist, but I have yet to find one. It may be that we are so far afield that if anyone feels like coming down here must be good, because if they were bad they couldn’t get anyone to their camp. We are also lucky, because we have the Carolina Hurricanes and their camp is one of the best in the business – based on parent feedback – for player and coach involvement. I’d give them a plug, but they are pretty much sold out every year on their own.
So here I am. This year my son has asked to play in the Spring League; is playing lacrosse and playing baseball. He chose this ridiculous schedule. My wife is concerned that he is doing too much. I am running myself ragged and he is having a blast. He seems to like the variety and the extra exercise. He also likes making new friends.
Here is the thing: he chose all of these activities. I guess he’ll have to chose one day, but he is only 10, so why not? When I was a kid – not that long ago, playing multiple sports was what you did. Now, soccer is year round, baseball is spring and fall, hockey is year round, lacrosse is spring and fall and even cheerleading has become a competitive sport with year round competitions.
So how much is too much? I think it comes down to who is making the choices. If your child says: “I want to play …”, then let him/her do it. With so much playstation, nintendo, xBox and everything else should we really be concerned with kids being active?
Why are we so concerned with children being active when their is an obesity problem and kids get shot at malls and their are entire programs devoted to getting kids active? It makes no sense. While I disagree completely with playing sports only to get a scholarship or pro contract, it seems to me that being in shape and having fun should be applauded not scorned.
I am interested in hearing other parents’ experiences. So fill out the comment form and let me know what you think.