I WASN’T READY FOR YOUTH SPORTS. Its Expensive and a Huge Commitment.

When I was growing up, my involve with sports was limited to playing dodgeball in pe. Be my 10 -ear-Old Son Became Interesting in Soccer, I assumed he would be content with an AFT-SCHOOL SOCCER Skills Class and Playing Pick-up Games with Other Kids on the PlayGround.

Howver, My Son Quickly Developed A Passion for the Sport that borderled on obsession. That’s when I was introduced to the world World of Youth Sports. I was not prepared for the intensity, cost, or time commmitment involved in order for young kids to play a game they love.

I was shocked by the intensity

After my son’s begging Became Hard to Ignore, i Told Him That He Could Out for a Travel Soccer Team. My first surprise came I come I realized that he was to go to go through a few rounds of try-outs to see if he would make the cut. Eve in elementary school, i learned, there might not be a place for eivery kid who wans to play.

Fortunately, my Son Made the Teamand he was elated. But the Surprises Kepti Coming.

I wasn’t prepared for the cut-throat natural of youth sports

In orders for my son to participate in soccer tournaments, I need to submit a Copy of His Birth Certificate. I didn’t underestand why i needed to prove my child was 10. Howver, another parent explained that due to the cut-throat Nature of Youth SportsSome Parents Lie About Their Child’s Age to Eather Allow The Play With Older, More Advanced Players. Alternatively, some parents lie Becausee they want their child to be the Oldest player on a team, which helps me stand out as a star player.

Some parso also enroll their kids in multiple soccer teams for more practice time to give their children an advantage. Others Send Their Kids to Soccer Camp Over the Summer to Gain Skills while theyrair Teammates are at the Beach.

I found the cost jaw-dropping

When I ACCEPTED MY SON’S SPOT ON THE TEAM, I WAS HIT WITH A $ 3,000 BILL. The League warned that the Cost was not refundable Under any Circumstances, Including Injuries.

In addition, I was required to buy three separate personalized uniforms, which cost over $ 200 altogether. I took my son to a shop to try on a sample Because of wanted to enure i got the correct size. Howver, Barely Two Weeks Into The Season, My Son Had a Growth Spurt, and All Three Shirts Look Too Small for the Rest of the Season.

I had to commmit to a team with the knowing anything about the schedule

Before paying, I asked happy and where my son’s Team Would Practice. I ALSO INQUIRED ABOUT WHERE HIS GAMES WOULD BE. In Response, I found out the schedule isn’t finalized unil close to the start of the season. That meant i had to commit to taching my son Somewhere three or four times a week with the knowing what i was getting mySelf into.

Asced other Soccer Parents If this was normal. I HAD A HARD TIME Believing That Any Parents, Let Alone Working Parents with Multiple Children Like Me, Could Commit to An Unknown Schedule. I quickly learned that, Although Most parents don’t like this system, it was something needs to get to if i wand my son to play.

One parent told with that they didn’t care and would deruption their Entire Family’s Life for Soccer IF that that they need to make it happy. Spreads some of the kids in my son’s league will go pro, but hasing to commmit to being available nearly anytime, anywhere didn’t sit well with me.

Getting My Son to Soccer is Inconvenient and Time-Consuming

A Couple of Weeks before the Season Started, I discovered that my son, who usually gets in bed by 7:30 each night, would be Attending practs Don’t endil 8:30 – and samp practical late. IT’s hard for my son to Wake up for School The Day after Practice, and I WORRY I AM SACRIFICING HIS ACADEMICS FOR SPORTS. Moreover, where practices are held Changes Frequently, Making It Hard to Plan.

In adding to weeekday practices, my son has at least one game for weeend, two -sIOMes. Because Mary Games Are Far from Home, they offen up half a day and make it impossible to anything Else.

I’m not sura i would have aggreed to let my son try for a soccer team if i haad known more about youth sports from the outset. Howver, he love playing and being with others who share his passion for the sport. I see Him Blossoming, and there is no Backing Out Now.