@darrenclay Ok so I’m the “no to sports” parent and I’ve got a lot of reasons. My ex has tried, repeatedly, to get me to sign our 7yo up for very demanding team sports. We’re talking traveling, hours and hours out of my time with my child, huge (for me) financial obligations. He even got his family involved trying to bully me into letting kiddo do ski team.
I understand sports build character and are a great way for kids to expend energy and develop physically. But I didn’t play sports as a kid (grew up in a rural area with two working parents who could never afford it) and fully believe sports isn’t the only way. Kiddo does scouts now and ex has refused to participate. That’s his choice and I don’t force him because he’s not into it.
Back to ski-team…why would I pay thousands of dollars and spend hundreds of hours of time watching my kid do something I have zero interest in? The ex’s request that I drive up to the mountain (3 hours round trip), sit in the lodge (4 hours), and pay for half of it (god knows how much $$) all during my busy work season is absurd.
I only have my child 50% of the time. I’ll be damned if I spend that precious time doing anything other than bonding with my kid. We do activities together, have play time, and yes, we get out and exercise. None of that would be possible if ski team were in the picture.
Also I refuse to see my ex because he’s abusive and an overall terrible person. The less I interact with him the better I parent. My time with my kiddo is mine, and won’t be dictated by his ideas of what’s best. Kiddo also does gymnastics (non traveling team) and private swim lessons once a week. Sports culture is out of control in the US. Not every kid needs to be scheduled to the max and living out of the car in a constant commute to and from sports.
You’re not petty, but you are lacking empathy. Not your time, not your choice.