Off-season workouts

Old Ag,

In many ways I agree with you. I see some parents drive their kids to sports burnout with verbal and mental abuse. They push so hard and expect so much from their kids that they force the fun out of it. On the other hand-I see some parents push their kids to excel and expect just as much out of their kids but they manage to keep the fun in it and avoid the burnout. What makes the difference between these two types of parents? I think it's the relationship the parents have with their kids. I for one do baseball with my son-we make it a fun thing we do together. I'm there to push him, but I also am there to celebrate his successes and encourage him in his failures. I'm there to teach him and help him grow to his full potential. The more he learns, the better he is and the more fun he has. It's a cycle that needs to be completed over and over to reach each new level.

I think back a few years when he was in coach pitch as a 5 and 6 year old. There were a few players on the teams that just plain stood out-even as 5 and 6 year olds. Not to say that the other kids weren't good players or didn't have potential, because all kids have potential. But sometimes you can just see "it" in a kid at a surpisingly young age. What should be done with those kids? Should they be left to just have fun and be a kid? Or should their talent be developed? How does any child grow up to be in the olympics or professional sports?(rare as it may be, they do have to come from somewhere) Hard work, long hours of practice and dedication to their passion that began at a young age come to mind. Or what about a child that is gifted academically-should they not be in accelerated classes in school? Shouldn't they be taught to their potential too? I'm only saying that sometimes, in some cases, the pushing and the extra coaching and practice are the right things to do. A parent and their child have to make that decision for themselves. Teaching a child the pursuit of excellence and to work to reach their dreams and goals is a good thing. It can be done correctly, but it's not easy.

IMHO
Kathy