We all know those families: their minivans are adorned with team stickers, and every weekend—sometimes even during the week—there’s a game or a meet to attend. They might drive for hours to get there, often paying entry fees or working at concession stands. Fundraising is a common expectation too, whether it’s selling donuts, frozen pizzas, or wrapping paper.
Then comes the nightly practices. Most weeknights, after school and homework, their children are pushed to perform under coaches who may lack qualifications beyond just signing up. If it’s not every night, it’s at least three times a week, leaving families scrambling for dinner in between practices. Mealtime becomes fragmented, and the idea of sitting together as a family feels almost impossible.
I refuse to live like that.
When I observe these families, I realize this is not the lifestyle I want for us. Let’s be honest: my children are not destined to compete in the Olympics. None of them are the next Michael Phelps or Tim Tebow, and I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing our family time for a fleeting athletic hobby. Therefore, my kids are not allowed to participate in organized sports—yesterday, today, or tomorrow.
What I cherish most is the freedom of our evenings and weekends. If there’s a Tall Ships event in town, we can spontaneously decide to go without waiting for a soccer game to finish. We don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn if we choose not to, nor do we have to worry about sports clashing with our cherished family events or brunch with friends who feel like family.
When my husband comes home, he doesn’t rush from a practice to grab fast food. Instead, we have time to connect, eat at our own pace, and even go on a toad hunt by the river when night falls. My other kids aren’t held back by a sibling’s athletic commitments, allowing us to spend quality time together rather than sitting on the sidelines of a practice field.
I understand that organized sports can teach valuable lessons like teamwork and resilience. But my children are far from inactive; they enjoy outdoor activities. Just last month, they hiked up a mountain—yes, even the 3-year-old made it on their own! We also explore the woods near our creek, searching for alligators, which we humorously call “logagators.”
My kids are also avid kayakers; my 5-year-old has his own boat and can navigate a calm lake, while my 7-year-old is eager to tackle Class II rapids. The 3-year-old rides along on my lap, and we often venture out with friends, which fosters social interactions amidst our adventures.
They do take lessons, including figure skating with a former Olympian. Thankfully, this instructor has left rinks where parents became overly competitive, and there’s no pressure for my kids to compete. For now, they’re just having fun learning to glide across the ice, and we enjoy this together without the stress of traveling to competitions or dealing with tears over a missed jump. I even strap on my own skates to help guide them through the learning process.
All the sports we engage in are family activities, enriching our time together rather than detracting from it. We find joy in each other’s company as much as in the physical activity itself. For us, being together as a family is paramount. If this makes us seem clingy or homebodies, then so be it. In the little time we have together, we want to cherish those moments. Hence, we’ve made the choice to forgo organized sports.
Do I feel a twinge of sadness that my kids might miss out on experiences like T-ball or I won’t have the joy of seeing their little photos styled like baseball cards? Of course. When I see adorable snapshots of toddler soccer teams chasing a ball, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia.
But we’ve made our decision, and we’re committed to it.
If you’re interested in exploring related topics, consider checking out this post on home insemination kits, or if you’re navigating the challenges of motherhood, this resource on maternal loneliness provides valuable insights. For more information on pregnancy, visit Healthline, which is an excellent resource.
Summary
In this article, Jennifer Collins shares her decision not to enroll her children in organized sports, emphasizing the importance of family time and freedom over structured athletics. While acknowledging the benefits of sports, she highlights their active lifestyle through outdoor activities and lessons, prioritizing togetherness over competition.