quitting sports

[michigan]

Should you let a child quit a sport because they say they do not like it?  After they have begged you to join?  You know they truley love the sport, but it may be hard or they may just be lazy?

[emmalee]

My son begged me to let him join football, which I did, and less than six months later he wanted to stop.  I said he could have 2 weeks off and then make up his mind, figuring that if he really missed it he would go back.  Anyway he didnt go back and has never mentioned it since.  As for him being lazy, well I dont think so cause he's always out on his bike or running around the park.  Why dont you suggest an alternative sport?

[kags]

Think carefully about why your child wanted to give this sport up. Is it the sport itself or something about the place they play or people they play with? My son desperately wanted to play with a local kids football club , he went for a while then suddenly started to say he didn't like it any more. I insisted he keep it up for a few more weeks, but eventually he blurted out that someone was bullying him there.  I doubt that your child is lazy, maybe the/she has just found the environment different to what he/she expected. Talk about alternatives, don't make him feel you are forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do, make him feel you are making a decision together.

[kags]

just to follow on from my answer - more recently my son moved up to Cubs from Beavers, and he started saying he didn't want to go any more. But because of our previous experience with football, we trusted each other, and he was honest about his fears - he was just feeling a little overwhelmed by all the new routines and rules in cubs. We agreed to try it for another month - by which time he loved it and now can't wait to go each week.

[becks]

This is a tough one, i agree that you should look more closely at the situation in case there is bullying or something but chances are he just might not like it. My mum went through this with me cos i'd beg and beg to be allowed to do something then two weeks later get bored - piano lessons, various sports - i do it now, i gave up football training after a month after spending a fortune on boots and stuff. Often the reality is much less fun than the idea, or your child may have been swayed into by friends but found it'd not really for him. I bought my god-daughter ballet lessons which she BEGGED for for ages (all the other children do it why can't i etc) and i took her every week, she's now decided she doesn't want to do it anymore although she did it for about six months, but instead wants to do tap as she loves that more. Think the idea of ballet was more fun so maybe it's just a case of finding the right hobby.

[wonky]

this is a bit different but may help you i played the violin for three yrs at school then i got a horrible teacher and decided i wanted to give it up i did and for yrs later wished i hadn't! The best thing i think for you to do is as said above find out if any probs bulleying etc if not, explain your thoughts and concerns but in the end (s)he will need to make the decision him/herself.

 

Good luck x x