Me and my ex were never athletic but I’ve encouraged my son to take part on football and karate and any other sports that take his fancy as it’s not just good physically, it’s good mentally and socially
Try roller derby! Amazing community and teams are also amazing! Try looking around your local area for a LOCAL team. And make sure your team is local! Most competitive teams won’t take in new or little kids
Sports and all other curricular activities builds confidence, sense of belonging, they may not like certain things but other things they will strive in… besides when they get older it will keep them out of trouble and their grades good
I know of a couples parents that wish their kids were in sports
I think it gives your child the opportunity to learn from someone other than you or immediate family. Goal: to be coachable, which then teaches an overall good work ethic (sports, school, careerlater in life). I love seeing my son coached by others. He learns to respect his coach, listen to his coach and teammates, and play as a team. Teamwork is so important in life.
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Whatever you decide make sure your kid wants to do it if they end up not doing it its a waste of time and money
Just from my gen knowledge, kids shouldn’t play sports during growth spurts cause it’s can damage certain tenans. We literally had this talk at one of our lunches at work.
Our schedule is insane because we’ve started all of ours with sports around age 4 (actually joining teams/lessons etc, they’ve all started learning about them and getting the hang of the basics since they could walk) and they LOVE it. It keeps them active, teaches them about honoring commitments, the value of practicing skills in order to see improvement, it’s helped with their hand eye coordination and fine motor skills, has fostered their closest friendships, teaches them sportsmanship, the importance of cooperation in order to achieve success, has been a great motivation for them, provides them with a wonderful community (actually for our whole family since we spend a lot of time with the families of their teammates), has helped them learn the value of dedication to something and the value and rewards of hard work, teaches them to push themselves to reach their goals, fosters a healthy sense of competition, and has done wonders for their socio-emotional growth as well as their overall physical and mental well-being. We don’t force our kids into anything, only require that if they sign up for something or join a team that regardless of whether they like it or not, they will honor their commitment to that organization/team and finish out the season/session/term for which they signed up and are expected to do their best at all times (of course we don’t want to waste money spent on things that are usually non-refundable-particularly if a lot of specific equipment is required-but the main reason for this is that we don’t want them to understand the importance of following through when they commit to something, particularly when others are relying on them to have a full team or otherwise provide a complete experience for all involved as we don’t want them to quit things when the going gets tough or because it’s hard or they don’t love everything about it/everyone involved since that directly correlates to follow thorough and proper notice in jobs and other areas of life down the road). Our youngest is only 18 months old so he hasn’t started anything yet, but already tries to mimic his siblings and loves to watch them play, our 4.5 year old is having a hard time narrowing down which sports she wants to try first (currently insisting on golf, tennis, softball, basketball, soccer, swimming and dance-as well as several non-sports activities as well 
), our 9 year old son plays basketball, baseball, golf and tennis, and our 11 year old is a highly competitive softball player (about 25+ hours a week), has done dance for years, golf, basketball, volleyball, is about to go out for track and wants to start tennis and played soccer when she was younger. Thankfully my husband is an only child and his mom loves to support the kids by helping out with the cost of their activities as well as getting them all to and from practices/games/lessons etc because it does get expensive and does take a substantial time commitment, but the benefits are beyond worth it
and our family loves to support the kids by coming to see them play and then getting together afterwards, the kids love to watch each other’s events and have formed great friendships with their teammates as well as siblings of teammates, and the best part is that it keeps them busy, out of trouble, working towards positive and constructive goals and keeps them from being lazy or in front of screens all day long. We do have them in other activities as well, music and art as well as other nature/outdoor based options, and while they’re friendly with the peers they’ve met through those activities, they have not formed the same close friendships as they have through their sports. It’s definitely worth it, and in our opinion, extremely important for kids to be involved in sports-as long as it’s approached the right way and not forcing them to train and spend hours on something they absolutely hate just because a parent wants them to be great at this or that.
Leave it up to the child. Some of my kids love sports and some of mine don’t.
My son started doing things at 3 year olds. Its to keep them out the streets and meet friends that on the team. Its very good for them!
My daughter is 3 and she goes to gymnastics once a week and absolutely loves it.
Sports are good,cause they stay physical. Make friends,if they have an interest then they’ll love it. Being that your child is 4 then they’ll probably be in T-ball which won’t cause in any injuries unless they have trouble walking over their two feet 
plus it gives them something to do instead of being stuck at home or watching tv all day. Plus if you let the family know then you’re more than likely welcoming the rest of the family to watch him play and then he’ll think it’s the bet ever watching his family show up to support him. Teaches team building, communication, and at the end of the day he is having fun.
At 4 signing them up for a sport is more for interaction and for them to explore …you never know what you’re interested in if you don’t have a chance to try.
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That’s at double edged sword if there ever was one . Like all things in life it has pros and cons. The key is learning how to balance it. Don’t get so locked into it that it becomes your life . When it stops being FUN it’s time to stop doing it . I hate sitting out at my grandkids games and hearing the way other parents and grandparents talk . It’s disgraceful. They are just kids trying to have fun they don’t need that kinda pressure.
Keeps them out of trouble, helps get a good nights sleep, its exercise, new friends and keeps them busy, as they grow older it keeps them responsible with grades. U have to keep good grades in order to keep playing the sport u like.
Exercise, team work, communication etc. put your kid in sports. It’ll be good for him/her. You can’t always avoid injury
You can always join a local swim team and make it a family sport. All of the ones in our area are for ages 3 - 100
Exercise. Social skill. Learning strategy and conflict resolution. Teaching positive values and keeping them in a safe happy environment. Improving self esteem. Avoiding gangs and drugs.
At least it might be a bonding time for the child and father
Responsibility, teamwork, commitment, exercise, friendship, how to win/lose gracefully, respect for others, accomplishment, the list goes on and on.
Our son play flag football and t-ball when he was young 4/5 years old and keep playing up till then 6th grade up till senior in high school he did wrestling.
Well, exercise and teamwork for starters…I never liked sports but I can see wanting to get kids involved in them
I’ve never really been into team sports myself (I run). But putting my sons into sports has been great for them. Sports may not be for all kids, of course, but from my experience it’s been really healthy and positive.
We started with soccer when my oldest was 4. It was one practice a week and a “game” on Saturday. At 4 it was less a game and more just fun foe the parents LOL. But he enjoyed it and now 10 years later he still plays. He’s learned a lot from being part of a team, and he’s made lots of friends outside of school. My youngest is 4 and is looking forward to following in big brothers footsteps 
Mom of 3 who all play sports! 
they love it & we love watching them play!
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Some of my best memories were on a field. All my kids play sports as well 
I highly recommend martial arts. Taekwondo, hapkido etc.
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Sports are great for kids. It keeps them moving and active. Helps
Keep them out of trouble.
All sports are good…just have to find what interests child! Soccer, swimming, baseball all fun!
Helps for time management with school and familu
It is good for the kids and then they get tired and sleep good
Exercise, meet other kids, learn good sportsmanship.
Sports are about building confidence, and communication skills, being apart of something. The rest are just benifits. If they want to play, then you should let them. Don’t be the helicopter mom that has kids sneaking out in the middle of the night because you are controlling everything they do
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Team spirit, conflict resolution, sharing, compassion, empathy , loads of positive
All kinds of life lessons are learned in a game of sports .
Kids learn a lot from sports . About being part of a team , good sportsmanship and they build a lot of friendships also . I agree with your hubby . Kids should play in sports , if they want too !
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They teach rules, friendly competition, work ethic, perseverance and are great exercise. Kids get hurt not playing sports too just being active children.
Exercise and sports are very good for kids. They’ve all got benefits and I will encourage my kids to do whatever they’d like but I’m also trying to be healthier and more athletic myself.
It’s a great way to get energy out and learn discipline as well as something to look forward to.
It can be a family affair and be a great thing for all of you but negativity is going to kill it
I’m not a sports person but I do most definitely see a lot of benefits in having kids in sports so I do plan on at least getting my kids to try them.
I think sports are the best thing a kid can do. We play every sport plus rodeo.
I couldn’t read it without laughing. 
You couldn’t be further from the truth. Sports teach kids respect, resiliency, leadership, team work, consequences, hard work, following instructions, loyalty, compromise and keeps your child on a schedule (they NEED that), keeps them in shape (both mentally and physically).
You are most definitely doing your kids a disservice by “not getting it”.
Listen to your husband since he seems to be the voice of reason in your household.
My daughter plays 2-3 sports and is now getting recruited by top universities. Don’t deny your kids of having sports related relationships/friendships. Those relationships will last a lifetime.
It’s time for you to “get it”!
I guess I’m minority opinion here. But I’m against organized sports until 6th grade. Even then don’t push them. If the child wants in - great. Otherwise - let them gravitate to what they really want.
Let them simply play. Play outside without the need for organized anything. They will play games of pickup basketball, race each other running, etc etc all on their own.
I HATE soccer for little kids. The ankle and foot injuries cause major problems later in life. Growing bones don’t need help getting injured🤷♀️
“Baseball dads” and various versions of that theme are OBNOXIOUS. These are kids. It’s a game. It’s not treated like this anymore😪
Mine played outside. They bike, play tennis(but not on leagues) and tried track but found that when they were better than certain others the constant hounding was more than they were willing to put up with.
So we stuck with group things that encourage the individual student to work harder for their own reward. Choir, debate, etc
Are sports actually good for kids? Yes. Unless they hate it and/or are horrible at it then it will KILL their self esteem.
I always put mine in sports to help them socialize and be able to make friends more easily
Balance! It’s all about balance.
New crazy mommy friends too! It just doesnt benifit the kids
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Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean you need to hold your child back, it teaches them responsibility and respect plus keeps them active, better than sitting in front of a TV screen or tablet.
I’m a sports mom and enjoy every second of it.
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Teaches discipline. Teaches them about being selfless support love how to be a team player. Physically it can be good exercise but depending on what sport we all know it could also have risks.
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Sports are a good thing. Teaches all sorts of things that most kids don’t learn from home or family. Plus it’s extremely beneficial health wise. I loved playing sports. Football and baseball were my favorites, and since they didn’t have girls teams back then, I played on the boys teams. I WISH my oldest had been or was interested in playing sports, because he would not be struggling with the social issues he has now.
It’s great for a million reasons but one sportsmanship, learning team work, being involved, meeting ppl and friends, it’s good for self esteem I mean what ! It’s great for a zillion billion reasons !!! I was never athletic growing up and I wish my mom would have pushed me to play. I regret it a lot. I didn’t understand back then-but my son plays baseball and he had fallen soooo in love with it. He feels so good getting out there and playing, his teammates cheering for him, Learning to deal w losses together, celebrating wins-His self esteem has sky rocketed he’s learning so much it’s just so good all around. I love getting out there watching him play!!! And my twins are 3 but I’ll be getting them into gymnastics and stuff like that soon. It helps them develop a lot physically mentally emotionally I mean it’s all around great. Look up the benefits. Just bc you’re not athletic doesn’t mean you can’t learn to understand and love it and watch your children grow up and thrive !
Being active is a lot better than sitting in front of a TV all day. Playing sports helps them make friends, and helps them gain leadership skills
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If they want to do it then it’s great! But don’t force them either. I hated playing any sport and still found plenty of other hobbies and had a perfectly fine social life.
I got my son involved in karate. He has amazing senseis, the families are great, it’s been nothing but awesome the last 6 years.
Playing sports isn’t realistic for all familes. Some parents have to work and can’t take their kids to events. Some familes have so many kids they can’t keep up with all their kids doing activities. I didn’t do any sports growing up and I’m just fine. Plus it can be expensive
I have 2 boys and neither has been injured playing sports. Family time is spent on the field. One night a week after a game, we go out to dinner. Just because you don’t like it, don’t make your kid not like it. Go support them and cheer them on.
I gave my son a choice and he chose not to participate in group activities - which was fine. In hindsight I see he may have missed out on some socialization. Learning team dynamics, and being a part of it. Learning to take criticism from others. Working toward mutual goals. Learning to get along in competitive situations. Assessing your own abilities realistically. It’s the socialization that’s important. Also opportunities to make friends outside of the normal group.
M 6 year old has been in sports since he was 3.
He’s done basketball, soccer, and currently in T-Ball. (As well as in Cub Scouts)
Helps them socialize, work as a team, as well as remaining active.
He wanted to do karate- but with covid- we’re waiting.
Don’t limit your children just because you were and do
Keeps them active and in shape
Keeps them off the streets
Tbh… being an introvert I preferred individual sports. swim 
team, running 
bowling 
tennis 
biking 
gymnastics 
golf 
to list a few …
Sports are great. They teach the kids resilience, social skills, time management, responsibility, that they don’t always win. Tons of things. 4 is kind of little but they have t-ball and soccer for little kids. If it’s a girl try dance class, all kids like gymnastics. Learn to swim classes. Just try some short term things. When the child is older they will decide what they like.
One of my daughters always wanted to do Irish Step Dance and became competitive.
Also had a ranked figure skater.
Just have fun doing it and don’t put any pressure on the kid.
Your kid gets to make friends and get loads of energy out. Sounds like a win win. Many different kinds of sports to choose from. Dance, soccer, basketball, swim and karate. Loads of options if you don’t care for a particular one. But remember you’re kid should be enjoying it and it should be fun!
Teaches teamwork determination, how to loose and be ok with it, leadership skills communication towards a common goals, not to mention the exercise, fun and friends they will build bonds with. They don’t have to be full on sports but they r most definitely beneficial
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The foundations they learn from sports are great. Leadership, teamwork, win with humility, lose with grace, good eating habits, time management, schedule keeping, commitment, outside authority, how to follow rules, self discipline… So many things
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I was never athletic. My kids LOVE their sports. They make friends, they’ve learned how to work together, and they’ve gained an impressive amount of confidence from succeeding in the sports they’ve chosen. Sports don’t have to take time away from the family if you make them family events.
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It will not take away from family time if you don’t allow it to. I have 2 kids who play 5 sports. My daughter just graduated with honors, president of her class. Sports gave her confidence, taught her how to process defeat and gave her roots in her community. My son is 14 and plays football, baseball, basketball and is now weightlifting with the football team. In order to play he has to keep his grades up. Total bonus. Some friends we have made over the years have become more like family. And who doesn’t love watching their kids play and getting to be their biggest fan. All kids have untapped potential give them the opportunity to discover it. 
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My oldest is 8 and we have done sports but never as a group. She does private swim lessons (1 on 1) and horse back riding lessons (1 on 1) and even with another adult, she still learns so much socially. This Fall when school starts she will get into one group sport. I am thinking along the line of marshall arts of some kind.
I think the team aspect of it is most important. Even if they don’t play well they learn to show up for their team and what it is like to have other people depend on you as well as depending on others
It depends on the kid, most of my kid love sports and play several but 2 of the kiddos were never really into sports so we didn’t have them play and they found other things they likes…one is into cooking and baking and the other is into art.
Builds so much character and not every sport is dangerous. Running…track and field with older ages… but teaches sportsmanship and a really great way to make a child feel accomplished. My 1 son is my nerd… he joined soccer and absolutely loves it and has taught him so much
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I’m not athletic really either. My husband did a bunch of different sports growing up. Really I just went with what it looked like they would be interested in. My oldest played soccer for about 5 years and loved it. My youngest started gymnastics when she was 2, which turned into tumbling and cheer and she’s been doing that her whole life (she’s 10 now), she also just tried softball for the first time this year and loved it. She tried soccer for two years and hated everything about it. We will be getting our toddler into tball and soccer next year. Really my point is that it’s all trial and error. They are either going to really love something or hate it. Just pay attention to what they love doing when they’re outside or what they gravitate towards. Sports have been great for our family. You meet tons of people, become apart of the community and your child will have lasting friendships and it teaches them to be a team player, cheer other kids on.
Teamwork, social skills, following directions, self esteem, exercise, enjoyment come to mind! Sports are great for kids!! 
Not only does it keep them active which is healthy physically, but it helps them learn to work with others as a team, deal with losing, and a great way to make friends. It can also be a great outlet for them physically if they have any pent up emotions.
I am not athletic AT ALL never have been but I am definitely putting my son in sports.
Don’t be like the mama in waterboy.
Well for one it gets them out of your hair. It allows them to burn off energy and get some sun. It teaches them the value of teamwork and allows them to feel good about themselves. And they make new friends!
As a mom of three that are grown and grandma to 6 beautiful grandchildren I believe it teaches team work, consistancy, helps with focus, helps with learning to win and lose with grace and as middle and high schoolers helps keep grades up because if you don’t you won’t play!
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My son is autistic and its amazing for him. He learns how to communicate and interact with other children. It also gets kids out of their comfort zone. They try new things that helps them learn new ways to do things or problem solve. I’m not athletic AT ALL. But ill keep my kids in sports and let them try new things!
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My kids are very active In sports. We always start them in Tball at 5, if they don’t like it after the first year, then it’s up to them.
Sports keep them busy and out of trouble. We’re a rural community so other activities are sparse.
I encourage them to try all the sports, but I don’t force them. Ex: They never did basketball bc they chose to extend volleyball by doing a traveling league. My oldest doesn’t want to do track next year bc she wants to work on our farm more.
However, when they get into Jr high/high school, they have to be involved in atleast one non sport activity (band, FFA, FCCLA, speech, drama, etc)
Let your kids try, if they hate it after the first season, don’t enroll them again, but always make them finish the season.
Also, learning to be a gracious looser is a tough lesson.
I liked soccer because they run around and can be easy for the little ones. Basketball my kids liked as well. Baseball my kids hated because it involved too much clothes in hot weather and too much standing around.
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Sports have many benefits. It creates goals, gives them something to work for. It helps them understand what a team is. Social skills. Is able to help them prepare to take direction from a adult that’s not you or his dad. Discipline. My daughters tball coach makes the kids run when they say it’s too hard. There are SOOO many benefits. And If you raise your child to be afraid to get hurt, they won’t have the confidence to explore or really take risks to understand what they are capable of. Sports keep them busy. Off the screens and outside.
Sports are pretty great things to get into.
Strictly speaking, activities raise grades, end in fewer reprimands, teach teamwork, great for social intelligence, and sports are good to help stay fit and learn good habits.
Now if your kid absolutely hates it- I would switch to a different activity.
But I personally think kidos need to be involved in SOMETHING. Kids should be exploring structured group hobbies.
But yes, there are multiple studies saying sports are good for kids.
My oldest struggles in school, like unknown undiagnosed learning disability at 7 years old but he LOVED every day he got to see his friends at tball practice & it keeps them active, they can meet new people, learn new things, there’s so many advantages to sports in school.
I was never an athletic neither, I wish my mom had put me in something, but both my boys are in soccer, I do believe it builds their confidence as well as they learn to follow rules, and self discipline. I’m not gonna lie, as a parent it’s very tiring and a huge sacrifice especially when they’re in a travel team, but at the end it’s all worth it. I believe it’s one of the best gifts you can give to your kids, they will ALWAYS remember that your were there at every game.
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Sports are good for kids for many reason but I totally understand where you are coming from. I have 4 kids, 3 are in sports and one is too young. and I feel like sports take away from our family time quite a bit and it’s frustrating and expensive
Never athletic as a child and not much as adults but I’ll be putting my son in sports next year. Hopefully help with his energy level. Get him interacting with other children. Gets them off electronics
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I was never sporty. My boys played hockey, basketball, touch, softball, cricket and rugby. Now at 22 and 20 they both still play cricket and rugby and I still absolutely love going to watch them every weekend. They have made so many friends learned to play in a team and also excel as individuals. We have traveled as far north as Auckland and as far south as Invercargill to watch them. The oldest went on a school trip to Australia to play rugby and then also went to England (at 20)to play a season of cricket and was looked after by a brilliant club over there. These are great lessons and memories 
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I think it matters if your son wants to, not dad cuz he’s into sports and not you cuz you’re not into them. Introduce him to sports, if he likes it, let him continue, if he doesn’t, don’t force him, he will thrive in something else, not necessarily sports. My husb. and I are not into sports, my oldest son loves them. He started BMX since he was 5 yrs old, he then did basketball and now is in high school baseball. He loves the sport, has loads of confidence, tons of friends, is very healthy and has a nice built and physique. My little one who’s 9 doesn’t care about sports at all, he loves anything with art, clay, coloring, building, leggos, so he is in art school and happy and thriving too.
If your worried about them getting hurt they have sports that don’t hurt them and also growing up I was in Girl Scouts and I loved that, we did so many activities and in Ohio they have this place called cosi that I got to go spend the night in and day camp was fun to. My troupe at the day camp backed a cake with a box and tinfoil and made a table with a bunch of sticks twine and two trees.
You either like sports or you don’t but it should be up to your kids to decide, I honestly don’t see a down side for kids getting into sports it’s fun, making friends playing and being active!
Yes it helps build character, confidence, team work and so much more. I cant wait to get my son involved in sports.
Eh? Sports can be fun if the kid likes it. Ask your 4 year old if he wants to try out different things. Don’t limit him to just sports either
Builds social, leadership, teammate skills. Coordination, exercise & self discipline. So much good comes from it. 
If the kids want to play in sport’s, let them. They can learn a lot.
It keeps them busy helps run out some energy creates lifelong friendships not to mention its great for them physically. Physical activity is good for them
This is not a real a question.
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It’s good for them to play sports teaches discipline, team work, schedule, it makes them work harder to keep their grade up to remain in sports. Yes it’s good for them. It sounds like you just don’t want to do it. What does the kid want? How would playing sports take away from family time? That’s the perfect family time be your child’s support in the stands. Encourage them be their cheerleader……it’s time for you to get more active with your child.
Because your not into it 
Damn let the kid play
I never even played sports and I know the answer dafuk
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