By Shannon of Daily Momtivity
We are a big sports family. My husband was very active in high school and college, playing in several sports. I also played sports growing up. As soon as we thought our daughter was ready, we enrolled her in soccer.
Unlike some, we waited until we thought she was old enough to understand and really learn the sport. For us, it was age 5. Pre-K girls soccer was really fun to watch! I had no idea how it was going to go, but we really enjoyed it. The girls were so cute and small but yet tried to score.
After that first season, we took a year-and-a-half off. We had a baby, and we grew even busier. The next year we put our daughter in soccer again along with some of her fellow kindergarten friends. She wasn’t really excited about it. If it had been up to her, she wouldn’t have played again.
I’m so glad I enrolled her on the team and “pushed” her through it because sports teach kids a lot of life skills, including:
1. How to Be a “Team” Player
The expression, “There is no I in team,” comes to mind for this. Playing a team sport, you learn that you are not the only one. You have to work together. My daughter is learning skills about how to get along with others and work together. She’s learning to communicate. These are skills she will need later on in life at any kind of job.
2. The Importance of Exercise
Any sport is good exercise. You’re up running and being active. No TVs or I-pads around — just some good sunshine and fresh air. It does great things for your body.
3. What Sportsmanship Is
You don’t always win. Not everyone plays fair. The same holds true for life. Playing a sport helps kids see that you don’t win all the time. You are going to lose a game, just like you might not get the job you want or get into the college you want to attend. It’s okay to lose. It’s actually a good thing.
I am not a parent who sugar coats everything and keeps my daughter winning. What is important, though, is being a good sport no matter what. (Even when you don’t win.)
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Page 2″ ]4. The Value of Dedication/Commitment
When you sign up for a sport, your team depends on you. Coaches want you at practices AND games. It got hectic at times driving around to all the fields and games. I got tired of all the shin guards and tall socks and all the washing, but we pushed on. The team was counting on my daughter to be there, so we went. We made a commitment for the season, so we hung in there until the bitter end.
5. How to Have Fun
Being on a team or sport should be fun. That’s what really matters to me anyway — as long as she has fun.
If you’re thinking of enrolling your daughters in sports, I say go for it. It’s one of the best ways to teach kids about the game of life as well.
This post originally appeared on Daily Momtivity.
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About Shannon
Shannon is a Mommy to 2 adorable kids, Teacher, and Wife. She loves her family, Texas, and Baylor Bears. Other favorites include taking pictures, HGTV, and Dallas. Her motto is to not sweat the small stuff, and enjoy each and every day. You can read more from her at Daily Momtivity or on social media pages here: Facebook | Twitter
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