Should Kids Play Competitive Sports?

Some of us are jocks. Some of us aren’t.  Sometimes it’s because of the choices we made. Sometimes it’s because of the ones our parents made for us. 

In this week’s Moms Talk Q&A, we went to our panel for their thoughts on whether kids should play competitive sports and, if so, which ones.

Gabriella Waterman wrote us back.  She has one daughter, Lynda, who is three. Here’s her answer:

"Probably but it will be up to her. I've tried thus far to take the approach of letting her be the guide to what she likes and wants to do. Through this method we discovered that she loves music  and gymnastics and dance, but that she hated the ballet class because it was too structured, and the gymnastics class was way more free form so she loved it! She may have no interest in sports and instead be a musician or an academic.

"I'm sure though that her dad and I will try to encourage something competitive (in hopefully a healthy way). Healthy competition does foster self-esteem and self-confidence and a good general understanding of how the real world around us works.  But I certainly do not want us to become one of those families that pushes too hard and tries to live vicariously through our child."

Do you agree with Gabriella? What’s your take on this timeless question?  Tell us.

And email us if you'd like to be invited on our weekly conversation-starter questions.