When your child is visibly succeeding while playing a sport, it is easy to recognize how much the child enjoys being a participant. The same cannot be said if your child is an average or below-average performer. Whether it is the limited playing time or the fact your child is playing a supporting role to the better players, it is more difficult to see whether your child is enjoying the athletic experience or not. If your child fits into the latter category, you need to be very careful in approaching your child to determine the answer.
The first place to start involves the age of your child. Your ten-year-old son maybe only playing two innings per baseball game, maybe prone to making more than his share of errors in the field, and is batting a lowly .224 on the season. You may look at his display of athleticism as being the worst on the team, and your protective parental nature may be clouding your fair assessment of whether your boy is having fun. Kids develop at different times in their lives. Your weak-hitting, a two-inning left fielder may hit his growth spurt two years later and start leading the team in doubles and runs by the time he celebrates his 13th birthday. Saying the wrong thing to him about baseball when he is ten may prevent him from wanting to stick with the sport later on. Once you determine your child is enjoying the sport, do not offer derogatory comments which may be seen by the child as your disapproval.
The parent in you should gauge if your child is having fun participating in a sport. You may have told your daughter how great it was when you ran up and down a soccer field. Your daughter goes out for the sport but does not find the same enjoyment that you had. However, she wants you to be proud of her. She would never ask you to quit the team or want to be signed up for the next season. Notice her actions around her teammates, especially if she has friends who are also on the team. If friendship and companionship cannot create a source of enjoyment for the child, it may be time for you to start a conversation with your daughter to find out her true feelings. She may shock you and want to continue with the sport. The fact you initiated the talk may allow her to truthfully tell you how she feels.
Watch for how active your child is during the practice sessions. During games watch the interactions with teammates. Is there a smile on your child’s face? Has the sport become grueling for your child? Be fair in your observations. After all, you want the best for your child.
