Play all the Sports, Try all the Hobbies
One of the most beautiful things about raising a kid is watching them experience life. The look of wonder when they learn something new. The sense of pride when they do something they didn’t think possible. The joy when you watch from afar as it all starts to click. Sure, there’s the pain of the failures. Nothing quite prepared me for how much I would hurt watching my son hurt - get cut, kick a play, etc. But you can’t learn without a little misstep here and there. Bouncing back is also part of the process and the beauty. You get a chance to try again.
It absolutely crushes my soul when a kid is discouraged from trying a new sport, exploring a new hobby, joining a new club, pushing themselves to do something outside of their comfort zone like try out for a play, pick up a new instrument, learn something new simply because someone else is better at it.
The more we are involved in sports, the higher the level of competition, the more often I hear parents actively discouraging their kids from playing a new sport. It breaks my heart.
I know I’m not alone, especially when it comes to sports. At no point should a kid - especially a young kid, pre-high school - shy away from trying something new. Sure, plenty of kids specialize from an early age. You’d hope that means they are pretty darn special, elite talent at that age. And, yes, if you are new to a sport that someone else has been playing for 5 years, odds are, you’re not going to be as good at that person right off the bat. That’s ok. It’s part of the process.
Childhood is about experiencing new things. Learning what makes you happy. Finding new ways to grow your confidence, abilities, and expand your sense of self.
My son has had a few run ins with disappointment. He was cut from his middle school basketball team. It broke all of our hearts. He used to love that sport. Covid hit, his league shut down, and by the time he felt comfortable enough to pick it back up (18 months later), he had lost his passion for it.
This year, as a freshman in high school, he decided he wanted to play tackle football for the first time. And, after a pretty darn successful freshman season, he decided he wanted to try wrestling as his winter sport. I love that he didn’t let the disappointment of getting cut from a team stop him from going out for new teams. I’m grateful that he has the tenacity and drive to do hard things and put himself back out there. I’m also grateful for good coaches who truly are in it for the student-athlete’s experience. Those that take the time to point out weaknesses to be improved, those who are about accountability, growth, and honor more than just wins.
I will continue to encourage him to try new things, even if someone will be better than he is at them. I will support his interest in exploring any new sport, club, hobby, or activity that helps him grow in his sense of self, confidence, and well-roundedness so that he becomes a person who also encourages that inquisitive and bold nature in others.
