During a conversation with my wife, Lydia, we debated whether to sign our 10-year-old son, Ethan, up for another season of soccer. “I’m really getting fed up with the twice-a-week practices and our weekends being taken over,” she remarked.
I sighed in agreement, recalling the previous Saturday when Ethan had two games in different towns. The day was consumed by packing snacks for the team (it was our turn), rushing him to pregame practice, then to his first game, back to practice, and finally to the second game. By the end of it, I was left with a sweaty, muddy child, utterly exhausted.
At the time of our chat, I was at work, while Lydia was stuck in our cramped, hot minivan with our 7-year-old daughter, Lily, who was trying to finish her homework. Meanwhile, our toddler was creating chaos in the back seat, and Ethan was outside enjoying soccer at the park.
A significant hurdle we faced was that neither Lydia nor I had any passion for sports. I had played soccer for half a season as a child and dabbled in baseball, but it was never my choice. I was merely following my parents’ wishes, and I detested every minute. I was a short kid with poor hand-eye coordination and little motivation when it came to athletics.
When I think back to my sports experiences, I remember being ridiculed for missing catches or kicks, and it left me feeling miserable. Youth sports evoke memories of standing in right field, praying not to be involved in the action, and eagerly awaiting the game’s end.
I’m not sure why Lydia avoided sports, but I recall when we first started dating; she asked if I was into sports. When I replied a firm “No,” her smile was telling. I had assumed sports wouldn’t play a role in our lives. However, when Ethan expressed interest in playing soccer at age 7, that perception shifted. He had friends already playing, and Lydia and I thought it would be a fleeting interest. “He’s our child,” she said. “I doubt he’ll be that into sports.”
Clearly, we underestimated him. Fast forward three years, and there we were, lamenting the hassle of practices and games, contemplating whether to continue given our busy schedules.
As Lydia assisted Lily with her homework during our phone call, I reflected on how naive we had been. New parents often expect their children to be a blend of both parents, embodying various traits and interests. While Ethan shares my short stature and body type, he is undeniably his own person with unique motivations. There are times when he seems to reject what I enjoyed as a child, leaving me bewildered.
Yet, when I step back and evaluate the impact soccer has had on him, it’s hard to ignore the positives. After struggling with his homework, Lydia told him he’d have to quit soccer if he didn’t improve, and he quickly got his act together. Each season brings new friends, and I’ve witnessed his coordination, skills, and confidence flourish. When he first started playing, he resembled a small boy chasing after a ball; now, he’s a determined young athlete. I’m certain that without soccer, he would gravitate towards his other interests—YouTube and video games.
I’ve seen Ethan charge at larger opponents with a boldness I never possessed at his age, taking control of the ball without hesitation. His fearless approach as a goalie, diving into a flurry of kicking feet, is impressive. His determination and confidence shine through, making me proud.
To be completely honest, despite attending most of Ethan’s games over the past three years, I still don’t grasp all the rules of soccer. I can’t converse about the sport fluently or name any professional players. However, it’s evident that soccer positively influences my son’s life. So, even though I’d rather not deal with the sport or spend my weekends shuttling him to games, Lydia and I ultimately decided to enroll him for another season.
Why?
Because that’s what parents do. They set aside their personal feelings for the sake of their child’s happiness and growth.
Being a parent means standing on the sidelines, cheering for your child even when you’re unsure of what’s happening on the field. It’s about sacrificing precious weekends for the joy your child experiences. While it can be exhausting and frustrating, knowing it’s for the betterment of your child makes it worthwhile.
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Summary
While I’ve never been a sports enthusiast, I’ve come to realize how beneficial soccer has been for my son, Ethan. His engagement in the sport has led to improvements in his confidence, social skills, and overall coordination. As parents, Lydia and I have chosen to support him in his passion, understanding that our sacrifices are ultimately for his growth and happiness.