Do Your Kids Play Sports?

My son plays soccer

My daughter plays soccer and takes dance

They are just 6 and 3

Aww, that is so great Bridget! It keeps them fit and teaches them all kinds of good qualities... ie, coordination, team work, etc. My daughter started soccer at 3 as well.

No, not yet, my daughter is planning on playing basketball next school year, so we'll see.

I think it's important too! It teaches them SO many things other than just the sport!

My daughter plays varsity basketball. She's only 15 and she's been varsity since she was a sophomore. She works too hard. But I can't say much, her grades are good and so is she.

Coach Bradley. Would you consider coaching? It's a lot of work and requires lots of time but it is so rewarding!!!

That is really great, Tracey. Another bonus about them playing sports in high school is it keep them with a circle of friends who are also involved in sports and don't have time on their hands to get into trouble or drugs... well at least for the most part.

That is for sure, Bridgett!!

I don't have kids, but I was just reading in my local paper tonight that children's sports tournaments are bringing big tourist money into my local town. We have a new sports area with lots of soccer fields and baseball diamonds so that has become a big draw for the area. Just this past weekend, there was a watermelon tournament where, yes, they played soccer with watermelons. Maybe this is not as weird as I think it sounds?

Both of my daughters did gymnastics for two years. This past year they both played soccer (the younger one loved it, the older did not). My older daughter also played basketball this winter (loved it) and did twirling for the year. I'm not sure if Twirling is considered a sport, but it was a lot more work than we thought it was going to be. Next year we'll go back to gymnastics and probably pick up basketball again.

My youngest daughter started playing baseball at the age of five--she loved it. At eight when she was supposed to move into girl's softball she rebelled. Told her 6'5" she had no intention of playing softball-baseball was the game for her. Needless to say, she moved into softball, started as a catcher, but quickly moved into the pitching position, because she pitched only the windwill, never the sling. Unusual for a girl her age.

She stayed with it through school ball and special league play in the spring and summer all the up through high school and went to college her first year on a softball scholarship. College broadened her views and she no longer had the time with all of her other activities to play ball on a competitive level. She is 23 now and still loves to get out there with her friends and play a rousing game of ball.

My youngest son played baseball through school as well as soccer. He is in the National Guard now as a Computer Security Analyist soon to be a Warrant Officer.

Sports was a big boon for both of my younger ones. With all of the drugs and alcohol and other traps for teenagers, sports took their time and their heart with nothing left for all of the nasty stuff. Good question.

My daughter has played baseball as well as soccer, however her passion seems to be more along the lines of track & field events.

My daughter, who'll be in 11th grade, used to play volleyball in middle school. She played for two seasons (7th and 8th grade) and I was pregnant for both seasons. I was so excited not to be pregnant next time and was determined to be the best volleyball mom ever when she decided not to play. But I think luck maybe on my side: I think she's playing next year!! YEAH!