Image source: http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/29403708.jpg
Most parents want the best for their children; this goes without saying. We want our children to have access to all the greatest things in life and start out life with a bang. Many parents in modern America strive to become a "super-parent" for this very reason and push their children to excel in every area of life possibleone great example is the sheer obsession with pushing their children in sports. And there are very many great benefits sports can have on your child's life, but pushing them too hard can also have negative effects.
Here are some different ways that a child can actually be harmed by taking sports too seriously.
1. Increase in Injuries
An oft-discussed trend in these recent times is that there has been a surge in the number of children who are being injured in sports, and if you look at the way we train our kids to play the "games" these days, it is really no wonder. Many different types of sports are shown to really wear the body down over timeand some, like football, can even add up to brain injury.
So, it is no wonder that forcing a child who is still growing to take their sport to the ultra-competitive level will lead to lots of injuries. Increasing trends show coaches who take the game as seriously as any college or pro-level coach, expecting nothing but the best from their teams, and children who specialize in one sport year-round, never giving their bodies time to heal.
2. Loss of Unstructured Play
Another unfortunate side effect of children who invest too much time and energy in sports is a loss of unstructured play in their lives. I believe in instilling children with discipline and responsibility as much as the next person, but taking that time to just let loose and unwind is equally important. Unstructured time not only gives a child a break from the constant rigors of sports and school but also increases their emotional and social intelligence.
3. Too Much Pressure
The pressure an excellence-focused parent puts on a child can often be too much, and in many cases, it becomes counter-productive. A child playing sports should focus mostly on "having fun," as clich as that may sound, and most children who are mediocre at sports would rather play on an average team, where they get to take part in the game, than be forced to the sidelines on a winning team and always feel they are not good enough.
There truly is more to sports than always winning, and a properly-instilled love of a game can contribute to your child's health for the rest of their lives. Too much pressure, however, can repel them from physical activity and eventually turn them into an under-achiever.
4. Quality Time Diminished
Our lives are already chaotic, and we find ourselves rushing our children from one regimented environment to anotherall in this quest to give them the best of the best. We run the family ragged, deprive the family of precious sleep, and even diminish the value of the time we spend together.
As you likely know, more is not always better, and a casual game of catch or shooting hoops with a child behind the house does not always have to be a chance to sharpen up their skills. It should sometimes be a simple case of bonding and talking with your child, and sometimes that even means setting down the ball, finding a quiet place to sit, and enjoying each other's company.
