Pushing kid too hard

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6 Comments

My toddler was enrolled in soccer and I've been thinking maybe I pressed him too hard. I have to work alot but anytime I could show up for practice or a game I'd really go out of my way to get him to play. I'm kind of looking back on it and feeling guilty. Am I wrong?

To me its bigger than just a soccer game. I dont like soccer or anything. But I feel its important for kids to get disciplined young.

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Based on 8 votes (4 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • PurpleHoneycomb
    1 year ago

    My dad forced me into baseball. All it did was make me learn I didn't really jive with team based sports. If I lose, I want to lose because *I* suck. Not some other person.

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  • adb
    1 year ago

    Focus on the child, not the sport. Your kid will be exposed to many sports once they hit elementary age. I agree with AsterBean. Kick a ball around. Fun is the first part. Put a few degrees off yourself; maybe soccer sucks in your mind. Your child won't know the difference. Expose your child to new sports. Soccer is a great stepping stone. Don't be hard on yourself. Your kid will follow.

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  • litelander8
    1 year ago

    If you want discipline, do martial arts. Regardless, at that age shit should be fun. They should just be learning how the game is played.

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    • AsterBean
      1 year ago

      naw, you introduce rules, theory and strategy around 8. For toddlers you just need them to kick the ball in the right direction.

      You don't want to push toddlers too hard at sports. If they aren't having fun, you create an anxious and stressed out child. Bad news. But kids bounce back. The most important thing to teach them at that age is team spirit. The benefit of soccer is that they run a lot and use up that toddler energy so they sleep well at night. Which is when the brain processes all those important lessons.

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      • litelander8
        1 year ago

        I don’t understand what you’re disagreeing with..?

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  • bbrown95
    1 year ago

    I agree with the others saying a toddler is a bit young to teach much about a sport other than the very bare minimum basics, like kicking the ball in the right direction, and that at this age, it should be fun.

    Also, I wouldn't advise pushing a sport or activity on a kid who shows no interest (not saying this is the case here, but just putting this out there). In my experience, that just makes them grow to resent it. Too much pressure can make it unenjoyable as well (I know from doing this to myself, unfortunately; I am a perfectionist to a fault and have ruined a lot of hobbies for myself by putting too much pressure on myself).

    I do commend that you prioritize instilling discipline, though!

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