Football-parents

[TBONEZ0295]

I haven't been around since our softball team lost the championship game but was thinking that there was no better place to gather some opinions about this subject but here.............I have 2 sons who play FBALL and I am starting to believe my heart is more in the game than theres.I revolve my life around football this time of year I never miss a practice or a game and I never seem to just lay off these kids I'm constantly telling both of them fight harder work harder hit harder My younger son plays for a CYO league (not weight ball) 5th and 6th graders My older son was scouted last year at an all star game and plays for Roman Cath. High School Last week he was asked to play for the JV team as well as the freshman team OH MY GOD I was so happy more so than he was................. I guess I was just wondering if anyone out there experiences the same thing both of my boys have talent and have always started but I wonder if I push to hard they are after all only kids. I've gone as far as telling my older son last year at the all star gameI'd pay him $100 if he got in the back field and made a play:shrug: Not to mention incouraging him to finish the season out last year with a boxer fracture (Tape it up I told him.....) That did pay off though my son is in a school that takes well over 1000 applications on only 400 are accepted. In other words I do think I am a bit over board My love for football has spilled into my children.I F*****G love it .Eat breath and sleep it can't even sleep after watching my older son play its just my world Is there something wrong with this picture?????Does anyone out there have kids on the field????I know Jack does how is your kid doing out there this year anyway Jack???? Can anyone relate????

 

[grey]

i can't relate but only being 18, i'm still a teenager. all i can say is that it sounds like you're putting way too much pressure on your sons. being proud is one thing but pressuring your kid in to performing is another. when i was 6 till i was 10 i swam competitively. this may ound silly for a 10 year old to be swimming competitively but it was all i did. 2 hour practices, 5 days a week year round. i even went to the north-east zone championships in 3 events when i was 10. after that, i lost enjoyment for swimming and was only doing it because my mom wanted me to. i quit when i was 11. moral of the story, let your kid find his own motivation and support his decision.

 

[Neemer]

Perhaps you are trying to relive your diminshed dreams of becoming a professional athlete through the eyes of your children? Your actions are a bit much if ya want an honest opinion. I can't imagine myself bribing either one of my two young sons in order to get an impressive result on ANY athletic sporting event. The day that I do, will be the day that I stop going. But hey, at least your honest about your actions. There are tons of parents out there that behave MORE erratic than yourself, but deny that they do. At least your questioning your actions.

Sounds like to me, your wife has been raising a little hell with ya in regards to your behavior. Keep in mind that they are just KIDS, and the day that you take all the fun out of it will be the day your kids will start living a life of misery. It's nice to see a parent so involved in their children's activities, but it seems like to me you've taken it to the EXTREME! If at all possible, I'd try and loosen the reins a bit. And if none of this chit seems to work, do your kids need an agent????

:shrug: :shrug:

 

[MadJack]

my son is 15 now. it all started when he was 4 with the karate lessons. i took him 3 nights a week, 50 minute drive for 2 years. one day, on the ride down (he was 6 at the time) i suspected he wasn't enjoying it anymore and asked him about it. i could tell that he lost his interest and asked him if he was doing it for HIM or ME? i told him that he wouldn't hurt my feelings if he wanted to quit. well, he said that he'd rather not do it anymore and to not be mad at him. i ASSURED the little guy that i wasn't mad at him at all and turned the car around and we went home. the end of karate.

then it was baseball and then football and then hoops. been doing this constantly since he was 4 years old. at this point we actually discourage him from playing too many sports because it not only interferes with his school work but my life as well. christ! you can only do so much. at one time he wanted to do it all. baseball, football, wrestling, hoops, track, soccer, you name it

i do not go to his practices but do attend MOST games. the only games i don't go to are the away games that are over an hour drive away. i think he has two of those this year.

i think he's settled into football only now (he does weight lifting in the off season) and starts as middle linebacker on D and guard on O and all the special teams. he's in the 10th grade playing varsity. i'm proud as hell too

in my opinion, you shouldn't push them. let them decide for themselves.

 

[dawgball]

PRACTICE IS NOT A PLACE FOR PARENTS!

Unless you are a parent that is also an OFFICIALLY POINTED coach, you should stay the hell away from practices and let the coach do his job. I know everyone thinks that they can do a better job. Well, you might be able to if you were the coach, but since you are not you are nothing but a distraction to your kid and the other players on the field. This is one of the most selfish things to do to your child. You are not there for them, you are there for you.

I don't mean to sound too harsh, but this is something that I believe in strongly. It is great if you encourage your kids to do sports (or anything) well, but once it is not a game anymore, you have stripped your child of that joy. Does that mean that he/she should not work hard. HELL NO! They should work their ass off if they are going to participate. But, it is their time to shine, not yours.

Paying your child to try hard is a DISGRACE! I guess you also are a person that gets mad at Deion Sanders or any other high-paid, strong personality player. Well, you are sending the exact same message to your child.

Another thing. If you really want your child to prosper in sports in the future, you should probably let him rest injuries.

 

[Valuist]

Well said Dawgball. I used to cover high school sports for a newspaper and nothing is worse than these obnoxious parents. I couldn't believe some of the s--- I'd hear. Parents convinced refs were on the take, parents yelling obscenities at opposing players and officials. I can't believe anyone would admit they'd pay their son to play and encourage them to play injured. A little perspective is needed there.....

 

[BahamaMama]

Sounds like to me, your wife has been raising a little hell with ya in regards to your behavior.

can't help but giggle when picturing Raymond as the little woman, but the question remains the same, and T, i tend to agree with everyone else here..... if you PUSH, they will just resent it, or possibly even rebel against it..... when they make up their own mind as to what they *like*......will be much more likely to succeed at it

 

[Morris]

Let your kids make up their own mind. Pushing them into something they don't want to do won't make them any better at it. I supported my son and I'll admit I wanted him to push a little harder all through Pop Warner Football and high school. He was the starting center on Varsity when he was a sophomore. Sure I was proud and he was having fun. His Senior year he broke his shoulder during a critical game with cross town rivals. He sat on the bench the rest of the game but you'll never guess what happened! The coach put him back in for one play when they were pinned against their own goal line, they needed a long snapper. Sure he made the play and you know what it got him? A star for his helmet and a 5 inch scar when they operated on his shoulder. He's 25 now and happy he played. I don't know where this is going just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

Bob

 

[mercury]

When Arthur Ashe played tennis at UCLA he had a teamate who was pushed by his father to play for the team.And he did, but after the last match in his senior year he laid down his racket and never played tennis again.
Any parents out there aware that their child might do the same thing?

 

[buddy]

You know you're a redneck...

when you're wife gets arrested at a high school football game.