'Moms Talk' Q & A: When Should Kids Start Thinking Seriously About a Future in Sports?

Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week, the Mom Councils members talk about the age at which kids are taking sports seriously and specializing in one sport in order to increase chances at a college or pro career.

Recently, a 9-year-old nephew who excels at soccer and hockey in leagues with kids two and three years older told me he thinks he has to choose one or the other, with an ultimate goal of being a pro. Mind you, my brother – his dad – isn't pushing anything. He just tells him to enjoy himself. Nevertheless, my nephew's already felt the pressure to consider his future in sports.

When I grew up, the thought was to sample many activities, including sports, to get a variety of experience. Now it seems children are being pushed to specialize at increasingly younger ages.

Let's see what the moms have to say:

Kim Zannetti: I think this is totally out of control. It used to be that you could play two or three sports in high school, but now you have to pick one because it is an all-year deal now. I think we really harm kids with this type of mentality.

Education is also thrown to the wind. I think we need to be realistic in helping kids set realistic goals for themselves. Even if they do reach pro level, the average "career" in professional sports is 2.3 years. These kids still need an education to fall back on.

Susan Jerome: Once again, I am not focused on sports but I will offer my opinion. I think society is too focused on sports to begin with. The emphasis and attention the athletes receive is astounding. If these men and women used their notoriety to be an example of high standards and sound values, it would be great. I realize some of the athletes do become involved with the community but the percentage is small.

I would like to see the focus of raising our children to be on what kind of adult they are going to be, not if they will be a star athlete. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if our focus wasn't on becoming a sports legend but an everyday hero who truly cares about other people?