Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by The Smetz Files
I’m raising young athletes. Read my reflections and experiences with youth sports thus far.
I’ve had a few conversations recently with friends. One has a toddler and they mentioned they were intimidated by the stories they’d heard about youth sports. Having played sports growing up, they were worried by how much has changed since we were kids.
While it’s true youth sports isn’t for the faint of heart, it doesn’t have to be the horror stories you read on social media. In fact, youth sports can be a great opportunity to develop leadership and confidence. And to establish friendships.
The conversation got me thinking about our journey parenting two young athletes and the steps we’ve taken to support their goals and development. I make no statements of expertise or guarantee, I simply share how we’ve experienced youth sports. You are the expert when it comes to your child and situation. Here are my reflections, a few years in.
How it started
When our son was in preschool he came home and told me he was going to play soccer for the Green Geckos. I said, sure thinking it was a game he and his buddies played on the playground at school. But no, it was an actual team with our local town’s youth sports league.
Of course, I had missed the deadline to register (he was three, it wasn’t on my radar to register for sports…total rookie move!). I quickly contacted the coach, paid the registration, purchased shin guards and the right sized soccer ball, and got him to practice a few days later.
That was our first experience with youth sports as a young family. Watching three and four year olds all swarm around the soccer ball and run back and forth up and down the field. Few goals were scored, but lots of post game snacks were shared, so it was a total win!
We quickly learned Saturdays were a social extension of school and church and spent our mornings with families who became great friends.
These were the fun, low-key years. We practiced one day a week. Games were Saturday mornings. The season lasted a month to six weeks, but there was always a gap before the next season began.
Our two kids are close in age, so we got lucky a few seasons they played on the same teams as preschoolers. That didn’t last long as they got older. So, we began the divide and conquer method. Invariably their games would overlap, each of us would take a kid and cheer them on until the other could join.
Multiple sports
As my kids got older, we played several sports to give them a chance to learn new skills and help them determine what they liked. At some point we’ve done everything our small town sports league offered: soccer, basketball, cheer, flag football, baseball, softball, hockey, and gymnastics.
As a preschooler our daughter picked up gymnastics and that quickly became her strength. She trained several hours each week and made her gym’s preteam and then USAG compulsory team. She began traveling to meets and earning medals for her efforts. She lived in the gym, honing her craft, while her big brother continued playing multiple sports.
It was the beginning of my days as a professional driver, shuttling my kids to and from practices, games, and events. Managing their schedules became a mental effort. Deciding between early afternoon dinners or waiting until 9:00 to eat became reality. So many parents of young kids can relate!
We expanded our sports family and network as we moved to different leagues, in search of the right fit program to develop our kids’ skills and passion for their sports.
Big decisions
Eventually our daughter decided to step away from gymnastics to try new sports. She was eight years old, but she made a confident decision.
Our son was eager for a new challenge too, so we dipped our toes into the world of travel sports.
One thing that surprised me as we navigated youth sports was the constant decision making. Were we in the ‘right’ league or on the ‘right’ team to help them grow? At the end of each season there were a flurry of texts and conversations amongst players and coaches about roster spots and moving organizations…it could be intense.
I assumed those types of decisions occurred with high schoolers, but was not expecting to encounter them with young athletes.
Where we are now
It’s been several years since we started our youth sports journey. Looking back, it seems we’re miles from those early days of kids walking off the field in search of a snack!
I’ve written several posts about the lessons we’ve learned over the years as our kids progressed through different aspects of rec ball, travel ball, and competitive gymnastics.
Youth sports can be a family commitment: weekend tournaments, hotel stays, gate fees, and all the team swag. Some of my favorite sports mom deals are linked here! [Commission link: I may be fractionally compensated for clicks and purchases you make at no additional cost to you.]
But it can also be incredibly rewarding. We’ve seen both kids experience growth and success with their teammates. Our family has been lucky to make some amazing friends through our youth sports teams.
Our kids have learned how to battle during moments of struggle; they’ve learned how to lose and win with grace. Each kid has worked through challenges and learned some lifelong lessons sports so humbly teach.
We spend most of our weekends and several nights each week at a field or court. They work hard at home on days they don’t have team practice. We’ve connected with coaches and experts to help them refine their craft and learn the nuance of their sports.
All the while we’ve tried to keep it light and maintain the fun.
Truthfully, I hope our journey is far from over. We’re a baseball and softball loving family and selfishly, I hope we have many years of cheering them on on the diamond left. Ultimately, it’s up to them.
One thing is for sure, I am endlessly grateful to have a front row seat to see them play.
Thanks for reading my reflection on our journey with youth sports up to this point. As we transition our son to middle school, I imagine there are many more lessons to learn for our family.
Let me know about your experiences with youth sports. Comment below and let’s connect on social media!
