March 16, 2022 5 min read
Starting your little ones in spring sports keeps them active and teaches them about teamwork and facing different challenges. While it’s a great pursuit, the cost, scheduling, and unrealistic expectations of youth sports can put undue stress on parents, families, and kids. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to avoid the usual pitfalls, so anyone involved in your kids’ sports gets the most out of it.
(Photo credit: RODNAE/Pexels)
Remember, your child doesn’t have to participate in every sport, and doing without doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. The cost of youth sports is rising, more than most parents expect. Even sports requiring minimal gear can cost more because of uniforms, entry fees, and travel costs. Aspen Project Play looked at 21 different sports and found that the average cost per sport per child was $693, with some parents spending well above that. Multiply that by the number of sports your child plays and the number of children you have, the cost skyrockets. So, what’s a parent to do? Try these tips:
(Photo credit: Kampus Productions)
Managing expectations between coaches, parents, and players is an ongoing challenge. Finding common ground and aligning those expectations can go a long way—especially when things don’t go as expected.
(Photo credit: Maria Lindsey)
Busy parents are stretched for time. Add a youth sports activity or two to the mix and things turn into frazzled mayhem. Here are a few fixes:
The more stress everyone feels about youth sports, the less fun it becomes. Keeping commitments with minimal stress takes work, especially if you’re competitive by nature. These tips can help.
(Photo credit: Mary Taylor)
And finally—athletes of all ages need time to regroup and reconnect, free of schedules and the stress of competing. An all-sports-all-the-time mentality can heighten stress and limit their potential in other interests and talents. Take time to enjoy other activities as a family. Talk about something else and connect on a different level. Maintaining this balance helps keep each sports season as fun and rewarding as possible.
(Cover Image Credit: Kampus Productions)
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