There are times when youth sports gets to be too much ... way too much. Parents go overboard. The youth athletes go overboard. Grandparents go overboard. Everybody goes overboard!
Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!
1 comment:
Reminds me of this video: Are the Olympics A Model for Creating Geniuses? | Idea Channel | PBS.
Now, as for the cultural implications of the US being better at creating physical, rather than intellectual, geniuses; I leave as an exorcise for the reader.
Also, PBS's YouTube channels have some very interesting stuff.
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