I have zero interest in having my kids do elite sports although my 2nd grader is definitely the best on his soccer team. Still, I don't think it's accurate to say that this is simple self-indulgence. Part of the reason I want my kids to play sports is that it's healthy to be physically active and no one plays pick-up games any more. Part of the reason is that I played sports when I was a kid and I loved the experience. I want my children to experience that same love, but if they didn't like playing I wouldn't keep forcing them.
I know that there are ultra-competitive parents that are just trying to relive their own glory days, but I think most of these parents are doing it for their kids to have the experience. And the escalation means that even parents who aren't that competitive have to either join in or get left behind. I don't want to take my kid all across the state to play baseball tournaments, but I'm worried that he won't ever be able to make the varsity team in high school unless he plays tournament ball when he's younger. I worry that my desire not to have him play in elite sports is actually the selfish motive, prioritizing my time over his desire to compete.
I have zero interest in having my kids do elite sports although my 2nd grader is definitely the best on his soccer team. Still, I don't think it's accurate to say that this is simple self-indulgence. Part of the reason I want my kids to play sports is that it's healthy to be physically active and no one plays pick-up games any more. Part of the reason is that I played sports when I was a kid and I loved the experience. I want my children to experience that same love, but if they didn't like playing I wouldn't keep forcing them.
I know that there are ultra-competitive parents that are just trying to relive their own glory days, but I think most of these parents are doing it for their kids to have the experience. And the escalation means that even parents who aren't that competitive have to either join in or get left behind. I don't want to take my kid all across the state to play baseball tournaments, but I'm worried that he won't ever be able to make the varsity team in high school unless he plays tournament ball when he's younger. I worry that my desire not to have him play in elite sports is actually the selfish motive, prioritizing my time over his desire to compete.