Comments on: The Cost of Youth Sports http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:48:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Kid’s Sports: Lighten Up, Jeez http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-4129 Kid’s Sports: Lighten Up, Jeez Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:01:05 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-4129 [...] good opportunities for social interaction; they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.  Besides the costs are [...] [...] good opportunities for social interaction; they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.  Besides the costs are [...]

]]> By: Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done! http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3657 Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done! Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:23:25 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3657 [...] try they say I can’t.  They have used it while referring to math problems and reading as well as sporting events and video games.  They tend to run into obstacles and give up.  Obviously, I prefer they [...] [...] try they say I can’t.  They have used it while referring to math problems and reading as well as sporting events and video games.  They tend to run into obstacles and give up.  Obviously, I prefer they [...]

]]> By: Joseph Condron http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3487 Joseph Condron Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:51:45 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3487 I never thought that sports participation in the US would be so expensive. Most sports in Ireland are free to join. As for the role of genes in sports, well that is highly debatable. Swimming (torso-to-leg ratio), and running (fast twitch muscles for sprinters and slow twitch for long distance) aside, the rest is about continued practice and desire. Genes don't really have any relevance for golf, soccer, rugby, basketball, football etc. I never thought that sports participation in the US would be so expensive. Most sports in Ireland are free to join.

As for the role of genes in sports, well that is highly debatable.
Swimming (torso-to-leg ratio), and running (fast twitch muscles for sprinters and slow twitch for long distance) aside, the rest is about continued practice and desire.
Genes don’t really have any relevance for golf, soccer, rugby, basketball, football etc.

]]> By: Sportsmanship Fail http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3107 Sportsmanship Fail Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:12:25 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3107 [...] spread, 135, were records. I don’t necessarily think sportsmanship is universally lacking in youth and high school sports, but  this incident doesn’t support my opinion.  This incident demonstrates a decided lack [...] [...] spread, 135, were records. I don’t necessarily think sportsmanship is universally lacking in youth and high school sports, but  this incident doesn’t support my opinion.  This incident demonstrates a decided lack [...]

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1625 Keith Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:04:07 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1625 Dennis, while I agree that exploration is an important part of growing up, it is not the only part of growing up. Team sports are also important. The problem with the team sports we have these days is that they are all organized by adults and we have to pay for them. There are no pick-up games and back yard football anymore. They are all overly organized and commercialized. Being an individual is great and all, but it does not make a complete person. Remember, you and I both participated in a city run sporting program which our parents had to pay for so you can't claim you didn't take part in that or that it wasn't valuable to you. We wouldn't be friends today had it not been for Barry's kids. Dennis, while I agree that exploration is an important part of growing up, it is not the only part of growing up. Team sports are also important. The problem with the team sports we have these days is that they are all organized by adults and we have to pay for them. There are no pick-up games and back yard football anymore. They are all overly organized and commercialized. Being an individual is great and all, but it does not make a complete person. Remember, you and I both participated in a city run sporting program which our parents had to pay for so you can’t claim you didn’t take part in that or that it wasn’t valuable to you. We wouldn’t be friends today had it not been for Barry’s kids.

]]> By: Dennis Yu http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1623 Dennis Yu Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:20:46 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1623 CK, Clever observation-- LOL. I laugh at the parents who live vicariously through their kids-- to succeed where they didn't when they were youngsters. How about the purity of kids playing with no referees and equipment? I enjoyed just biking around town, exploring-- no rules, equipment, training camps, and aggressive parents. Oh-- and that's free, too! .-= Dennis Yu´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.dennis-yu.com/doing-what-you-enjoy-vs-doing-what-makes-you-rich" rel="nofollow">Doing what you enjoy vs. doing what makes you rich</a> =-. CK,

Clever observation– LOL. I laugh at the parents who live vicariously through their kids– to succeed where they didn’t when they were youngsters. How about the purity of kids playing with no referees and equipment? I enjoyed just biking around town, exploring– no rules, equipment, training camps, and aggressive parents.

Oh– and that’s free, too!
Dennis Yu´s last blog ..Doing what you enjoy vs. doing what makes you rich My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1617 Keith Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:11:56 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1617 Yes, Cat! I totally forgot about cheerleading and those other sorts of activities. There are certain parts of the country where cheerleading is huge business. I remember when I lived in Texas all the parents who would go totally nuts over cheerleading and how into it the kids seemed to be. I didn't know the cost associated with it but, I imagine that your right, when one sport depends on learning another (like gymnastics and cheerleading) then it just compounds the cost. Thanks for the comment! Yes, Cat! I totally forgot about cheerleading and those other sorts of activities. There are certain parts of the country where cheerleading is huge business. I remember when I lived in Texas all the parents who would go totally nuts over cheerleading and how into it the kids seemed to be. I didn’t know the cost associated with it but, I imagine that your right, when one sport depends on learning another (like gymnastics and cheerleading) then it just compounds the cost. Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1616 Keith Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:08:55 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1616 I agree, Ron. Kids don't have any business pretending they're professional athletes and coaches need to lay off with the gung ho training and competitions. And, you're also right that kids change their minds all the time. What's a parent to do who's just invested all those resources into their childrens most recent hobby. Well, in many cases they force their kids to continue just to get their money's worth. I agree, Ron. Kids don’t have any business pretending they’re professional athletes and coaches need to lay off with the gung ho training and competitions. And, you’re also right that kids change their minds all the time. What’s a parent to do who’s just invested all those resources into their childrens most recent hobby. Well, in many cases they force their kids to continue just to get their money’s worth.

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1615 Keith Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:06:23 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1615 yes, it's true. Parents have their kids over involved in sports and other activities. I don't frankly know how they even afford it. I can barely afford one sport. yes, it’s true. Parents have their kids over involved in sports and other activities. I don’t frankly know how they even afford it. I can barely afford one sport.

]]> By: Cat http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1612 Cat Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:44:12 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1612 How VERY true! Personally, I think you can add cheerleading and dance to the list of expensive classes, I have one that does ballet and a cheer girl and its just crazy. The constant buying tights and shoes for my ballerina and the added cost of gymnastics classes for my cheerleader just makes it unreal at times. They are mad at me right now because I told them we're doing soccer instead this year because its cheaper lol They will resume cheer and dance between AYSO soccer seasons. How VERY true! Personally, I think you can add cheerleading and dance to the list of expensive classes, I have one that does ballet and a cheer girl and its just crazy. The constant buying tights and shoes for my ballerina and the added cost of gymnastics classes for my cheerleader just makes it unreal at times. They are mad at me right now because I told them we’re doing soccer instead this year because its cheaper lol They will resume cheer and dance between AYSO soccer seasons.

]]>