Hey Momma, It Gets Better
Did you just sign up your sensitive child for a team sport? Was it a disaster? So many tears? Awkward moments as a parent? Wondering why you even keep going back? Yep, been there.
But it’s okay momma, it gets better. You are not torturing your child and yourself week after week for nothing. We signed up our sensitive son for soccer when he was three years old. The first season seemed like a disaster. We thought “maybe our child will never play sports and thats okay.” The problem was that he wanted to until he got there and there were so many unknowns…kids stealing the ball, getting knocked over, losing, etc.
Just Show Up. Teach them commitment first.
The first season we made a rule: we would go every week, he would start with his team every week and we would stay to the end every week. Was he on the field the whole time? No. Did he ever touch the ball? Not on purpose. But! He learned commitment and he learned how to be on a team. The second season was much better. He stayed on the field, he was the BEST cheerleader for his team and he occasionally touched the ball.The third season was the game changer. Is he the team’s MVP? Nope, but he loves it, he gets in the action finally and when he gets knocked on his butt, he stands back up.
Skills will come later. Give them a Job he can do Now.
Focus on using their unique talents to have their own special job on the team. Our son is incredibly kind, and compassionate towards others. Before each game we talk about how he can help others when they are hurt, frustrated or when the team loses. HWe talk about being a team player, humble and loving the game more than the score. He may not be the best soccer player, but he is an amazing team member whether he scores or not. e passes out way more high fives than soccer balls.
Teach them that it’s more than Winning or Losing.
We don’t play soccer to win. At least not in my family. We play soccer to learn. Commitment, team work, hard work, exercise, sportsmanship.
If you have a sensitive child that had a rough first season of sports, don’t give up!
Playing Sports with A Sensitive Child
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Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
August 28, 2018
Kylee Maughan
