How to Guide Your Child Away from a Sport You’d Prefer They Avoid

It’s a familiar scenario: your child is eager to join a sport that gives you pause, like football or hockey. While I would prefer my kids to dive into activities like chess club or drama, my eldest is on the varsity soccer team, and my youngest is immersed in tae kwon do. I understand the struggle—I’m not thrilled about their chosen sports.

My concerns aren’t about team sports in general; rather, I worry about the potential risks to their health, such as concussions and other injuries. So, what can you do if your child is insistent about playing a sport you’d rather they skip? Here are some strategies to help steer them in a different direction.

Avoid Early Specialization

Let’s say your child is already involved in flag football. The last thing you want to do is limit their options and force them to focus solely on flag football. While your child may show talent, early specialization often leads them toward more dangerous sports like tackle football. As Tory Lindly, president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, pointed out to The New York Times, “Single-sports specialization is bordering on an epidemic in terms of the risks it can pose, for physical injuries as well as the potential for negative psychological effects.”

Encourage Participation in Alternative Sports—And Make It Enjoyable!

Sports can significantly contribute to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Thankfully, there are numerous low-contact sports available, and your goal should be to guide your child toward those options.

How can you do this? Ensure they find joy in the activities they are involved in—after all, 70% of kids stop playing a sport because it’s no longer fun. A 2019 study from George Washington University revealed that athletes define fun in terms of “trying your best,” “staying active,” and “getting along with teammates,” while “winning” was much less important.

Clinical neuropsychologist William Stixrud advises parents to grant as much independence as possible while still establishing reasonable boundaries. For me, that means ruling out flag or tackle football.

What sport do you want to avoid? If you’re interested in more insights, check out this other post we’ve written here for more ideas.

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Summary

In navigating your child’s sporting interests, consider avoiding early specialization and promoting alternative, low-contact sports that are fun and engaging. Emphasizing joy in sports can prevent burnout and encourage lifelong healthy habits.

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