Choosing a sport for your child?

You might be thinking about enrolling your child into sports this term and I wanted to share what happened when I enrolled my son in soccer so it can help you avoid the resistance and challenges we experienced and what we did instead.

Our son was 6.

He was not playing well with other kids so we thought we’d help him build relationships by playing in a soccer team.

I now know this was a BAD idea...

He went to the soccer field once for a game, refused to go to practice and we ended up paying a fee for the term that we couldn't recover. 

I had previously learned that some people are motivated for group environment and some are motivated for a solo environment, but I didn't think to apply to sports. 

It took us a while to figure out with our son that he preferred a solo environment (aka solo sports ) - once we did we never struggled with motivation again...he went through a phase of competitive swimming and today at 15 years old he loves rock climbing and training at the gym, by himself. 

Our other son loves group environment (aka group sports) and has played in soccer comps since he was 6. He’s now 16.

We sometimes think enrolling our child in a sport to expand them builds their resilience and self-esteem. Or we may choose a sport because their sibling plays it or parents like it.

The opposite is true.

When you enroll them into what they are motivated for, they feel like you get them and accept them for who they are and THAT helps build an unshakable  foundation of self-esteem and resilience.

And eventually, they expand themselves…

My youngest, who loves solo sports, now plays basketball. He practices a lot on his own. But he also plays in a group at lunchtime at school. And my eldest, who loves group sports, runs solo most days. 

Aligning a child's sports with their natural motivations makes them feel inspired and motivated to continue. And helps build healthy, sustainable habits for life.  

I spent the longest time as an adult figuring out that I preferred solo sports after a childhood with group sports (netball and hockey). Now I move in the ways that I love..on my own (hello solo!), it feels so much more sustainable for my health. 

Oh and don’t be afraid if there’s a time your child is not enrolled in a sport. My youngest had a gap of 4 years on enrolling in an official sport before he found rock climbing. And is doing just fine now! 

What is your preference, - solo or group? And what would you guess your child is? 

Much love

Dina xx