Just found out my daughter will be involved with a soccer tournament this weekend where they track the "winners" and "losers". They haven't done this yet in at her level, and I'm kind of uncomfortable about it. You see, while her coach is a really good coach, I don't think her team has won a game all year. The important thing is that they've had fun, they're all learning the game, and they don't seem too concerned that they haven't won. I would hate to see that change. My daughter is never going to be a great soccer player, but right now, she really likes the game. It gets her active and helps her understand a team environment. I know, I know, real life has winners and losers and all that rot. It's just that I don't see why it's necessary at this level (under 8, in case you were wondering).
I don't know why this all makes me so nervous. I'm actually a fairly competitive person myself. I guess it's that I know my competitive streak has added unnecessary and unhealthy pressure to my life. Instead of doing something because it's fun, you do it to win. It's even kept me from trying things when I was younger because I didn't think I could be "the best." I guess I don't want my kid to go through that. Who knows, though, maybe it won't affect her that way. She's never been particularly competitive (waaaay too laid back to be my kid, sometimes) ... and yes, some competition is good, but why does everything have to be a challenge, something to rank yourself against others? Doesn't life have enough of that already?
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4 comments:
Hmmm... you make a good point about it getting her active and interested in a sport just to be "playing"... not for the "win". How is she with board games? Is she uber competitive when it comes to those things? That might give you and idea what she might be like with this new soccer plan.
Not sure I have a solution... but I have to say that I love to hear about your family life in these things! (It cracks me up and lets me live as a parent - vicariously through you!)
Oh, hey, and I've seen that you're famous on the 'net. Lots and lots of articles and quotes from you on the Tyco front. Impressive!!! =)
*snerk* It'd be more impressive if they weren't all from press releases I wrote.
It's actually kind of funny, my daughter's a stickler for the runs, but as for winning? Not so much a big deal for her. I'm thinking that's healthier than the way I am ... though sometimes I wish she'd be just a LITTLE competitive.
Gah, make that "RULES" not "runs" ... though it would say something interesting about my family if they were really into the runs.
i gotta say, as someone who went through the kids' sports programs from age 4 til 13, competition, in the right light, isn't a bad thing. if you've got a coach who emphasizes learning the game and having fun, then it's not too bad of an experience. although, watch out for the crazy parents. they are often worse than the coaches. but like i said, being aware of winning and losing games isn't a bad thing, as long as it's not what they're emphasizing.
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