should you ever push your boys into playing sports?

Jamie - posted on 01/19/2010

No not all kids are into sports. why put the money out for things your kids dont want to do. encourage the things they do. As long as he isnt sitting at a computer all day being in a sport isnt a big deal.

Michelle - posted on 01/19/2010

I think all kids should be in sports for a few years, to give it a try, get exercise, learn how to be on a team, and to see if it's something they'll thrive on. Personally, I would LOOOVE for my son to play hockey. But you know, I won't force him to play it if he doesn't want to, I'll give him the choice to pick whatever sport he wants. I just think that they should give it a try.

Betty - posted on 01/19/2010

Some kids just don't enjoy the typical sports like soccer and baseball. I would never force a child to be involved in a team sport. It's not fair to any of the kids on the team to have someone there that doesn't even want to be there. If my child wasn't getting enough active play and didn't want to do any sports I would just do things with him like biking, or nature walks as often as I could. Most kids would rather just relax after school and there shouldn't be such a rigid after school schedule involving sports or music lessons unless your child has a true passion for what he is doing. If you want to force a sport on your child at least wait until the summer time while he is not expected to go to school and keep good grades(most schools still do PE every day). Just have him walk or ride his bike to and from school and he should be fine.

Chelsea - posted on 01/19/2010

maybe not exactly push, but give them options, like boxing, baseball, basketball etc. and have them chose. if they dont do that then i would push them, they'll be thanking you when they're older and they're in shape. i thank my parents for pushing me into sports i totally hated, and my husband is not happy his parents didn't because he was chubby as a kid and never got that really in shape skinny.

Beck - posted on 01/19/2010

No, however I walk alot instead of driving because I can lol So my son is well fit. Your son looks pretty healthy so if he isnt interested in sport then dont push him into it. You dont have to play sport to keep fit and get out in the fresh air.

Jessica - posted on 01/19/2010

i dont think that you should push but maybe show them how fun it can be and let them make up their own mind about it.

Jessica - posted on 01/19/2010

definately introduce him to sports. it's good for kids to get out and be active in the fresh air. but if he's just not a sports fan then don't force him to play. try to be enthusiastic and maybe that will show him that sports are fun. the earlier you start to show enthusiasm for something the better to make him want to try it. one thing though, if he does start a sport don't let him quit. he should learn that walking out on people who depend on him is wrong. if he decides that sports are not for him still try to encourage other outside activities. my boyfriend isn't a sports person but he's still outside a lot... hunting, fishing, or some sort of motorized toy. with everything out there, your son is likely to enjoy something outdoors.

Sarah - posted on 01/19/2010

Getting your child in an activity is a good thing. And at first you do have to introduce them to different activities They may like. I don't think it's good if you have a boy and you force him to play football because that's what you want them to do. Or if you have your daughter in ballet because that was your dream. You have to find a balance and think is this sometimes they will like once they try it.

Natalie - posted on 01/19/2010

Pushing kids to do something isn't good. You might get the opposite result or later in life they will resent you for it.

My son will be 4 in less than 2 weeks and right now i'm signing him up for a new sport every few months. At the youth center here they have 6 week programs for learning the sport and i think it's a great way to see what my son likes and what he doesn't. He tried Soccer in September/October and now he's just started basketball until February. In a few months they offer baseball so we're gonna try that too. The parents are involved and i encourage my son to play along, but when he's had enough i don't push him. I just try to encourage him, make it fun. Then, when he's 5 he can pick out a sport he wants to play and i will support him in whatever he decides.

Katelyn - posted on 01/19/2010

I don't think it pushing if you just introduce them to it. Maybe let them try different sports once or twice and ask them if they would like to continue playing. If they hate it and don't want to go again then I wouldn't force it, maybe just find something else.

Mandy - posted on 01/19/2010

That is a hard one, because you want your kids to be active outdoors it is healthy for them, yet you dont want them doing something they truely dislike. I would give them a choice would you like to try soccer or baseball? Then after the season ask what they thought if they'd want to do it again and let them know if not it is ok.