Let’s not beat around the bush, kids’ sports aren’t cheap! Between sign-up fees, uniforms, shoes, gas to and from events, and time off work the costs add up really fast. Here’s the thing, though, spending money on your kids sports is totally worth it. Don’t believe me? Give me a few minutes to change your mind!
Spending Money On Kids Sports Is Worth It
To me, kids’ sports aren’t just about playing games, they come with a wealth of benefits for kids! Sports help teach kids everything from discipline and teamwork to confidence and passion. So, when I saw a post on Facebook on this very topic by Mark Wolpert, I could immediately relate.
Why spend so much money on your kids’ sports? Well, there is a perfectly reasonable answer to this question. In fact, there are MANY reasonable answers, 12 of which I’m sharing below! If you’re on the fence about enrolling your kids in sports, you’ll definitely want to read on. As a mother of two, I know how hard it is to take kids to their after-school activities. Knowing your kids are busy doing something beneficial and productive makes it all worth it.
I see all the benefits my kids get from playing sports. My older son LOVES tennis and he is always looking to participate in local tournaments and making sure he improves his game. My 4 year old daughter already started playing because her older brother play too! See all the wonderful benefits of playing tennis and also check out my top life skills tennis teaches kids post. Confidence, discipline, patience and honesty are wonderful life skills that can last a lifetime.
12 Reasons Why Spending Money On Your Kids Sports Is Totally Worth It
A quick note to avoid confusion: Mark’s words are in quotation mark, and the rest is my thought on each one. Does that make sense? Good! Let’s find out why spending money on your kids’ sports is totally worth every last penny.
“One of my friends asked, ‘Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports?’ Well I have a confession to make; I don’t pay for my kids to do sports. Personally, I couldn’t care less about what sport they do. So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?”
1. Those moments when they want to quit…but don’t
“I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don’t.”
It’s so awesome to hear your kids say, “You know what? I’m tired and I want to quit, but I’m not going to!” Times like those teach children about endurance and help them discover what they’re made of. When they continue even though they feel like giving it, it gives them such a wonderful confidence boost.
2. The days when they go to training even if they’re “too tired.”
“I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are “too tired” to go to their training but they go anyway.”
Sports teach kids to stick to their commitments, even (or especially) when they’re too tired or not in the mood to go. Did you know that studies show kids who stick to sports at a young age actually have an easier time adjusting once they reach middle school and beyond?
3. Discipline, focus & dedication
“I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.”
Very few activities teach kids about discipline and dedication the way sports do. As for focus, Cleveland Clinic explains that even kids with ADHD can experience major benefits and an increased ability to focus in other areas of their lives when they play sports. To me, that already proves that spending money on your kids sports is totally worth it.
4. Valuable lessons about caring for what matters most.
“I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.”
When kids play sports, they not only learn about the importance of taking care of their equipment but also their bodies. Both lessons benefit them throughout their entire lives. Athletic kids also often make better choices, especially during their teen years. They’re more likely to abstain from drinking and drugs and even tend to eat healthier.
5. Lessons about graciousness and humility
“I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good teammates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.”
Anyone who has ever played Candyland with a toddler can tell you, one of the hardest lessons to teach our kids is how to lose well. The only thing that’s more challenging? Teaching them how to win well, too! In other words, how to be a humble winner and a gracious loser. A good coach will teach your children about both.
6. So they can learn how to cope with disappointment
“I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don’t get that placing or title they’d hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.”
Kids need to understand that there will be times in their lives when they give something everything they’ve got and still fall just short of their goal. More importantly, they have to learn that it’s okay to fail sometimes and that we actually learn more from those moments than we do from the successes. There are even studies showing that kids who play sports develop “grit” that helps them succeed later in life.
7. The wonderful feeling they get when they reach their goals
“I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.”
The flip side of learning to cope with disappointment is that wonderful moment when all their hard work pays off. Through sports, kids learn how to set attainable goals and reach for them. They also learn the importance of adjusting their expectations and breaking a huge goal down into smaller accomplishments.
8. For lessons about respecting themselves and others
“I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other athletes, officials and coaches.”
Forget everything you’ve seen on television about athletes screaming at coaches, refs, and other teammates. The reality is, kids learn early on that everyone- even the opposing team- deserves respect. It’s called good sportsmanship, and it’s not only an integral part of every game but of every aspect of life.
9. So they can learn what it takes to be a champion
“I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.”
From superstar football players to figure skaters to tennis pros, no one becomes a champion overnight. Even those born with a natural ability have to work hard to hone it. Raw talent only takes you so far, after all.
10. The chance for them to take pride in the little things as well as the big
“I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.”
While it’s certainly spectacular to see your kids excited over a big win, it’s even more magical to watch their faces light up when they realize they’ve reached one of their mini goals. After all, our lives are made up more of the smaller moments than monumental occasions. Learning how to find joy in them makes all the difference.
11. The opportunity to make life-long friends
“I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.”
Teammates have a special bond that goes beyond “let’s hang out at the mall” friendships. They become so entangled in each other’s fondest memories that they’re more like family.
12. To get them up, moving, and away from a screen
“I pay so that my kids can be out on the field or in the gym instead of in front of a screen…”
Last, but not least, the reason that most parents sign their kids up for sports in the first place: to get them away from their phones/tablets/TV up & moving! Whether that’s inside a gym or out in a field, any opportunity to get active is a good thing.
“I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provide my kids to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far, I think it is a great investment. Spending money on your kids sports is totally worth it.”
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