Contact sports works better for me since it may allow me my "organized sports", which I think are good, and may provide some common grounds for objection without damning the entire concept of organized sports which I think you have clarified anyway as not meaning to do.
Like how I don't like football.
When we first moved here we would drive by fields of teeny foothigh sticks topped by shoulder pads. What are those small weird animals? I asked.
Peewee football players was the answer.
They start very early in Texas.
I see K didn't want to give you basketball, and Dan I know wouldn't give you baseball which isn't SUPPOSED to be contact, though Ammo had his hand broken by a thug stealing home on him. And soccer they both started at 4 or 5 but it was the gentlest sport! They have no clue what's going on and just run around in a clump after the ball. Or not. CW didn't bother. He just stood there and watched, or sometimes he sat down and watched bugs. Sort of like Ferdinand the Bull. I think the kids who really aren't meant to play figure it out early on and then find the right place or sport for themselves. Like CW and swimming.
The injuries get more serious as the size increases and the intensity grows. I won't disagree about football, which is where the really scary back and neck injuries occur. But a lot of the injuries in sports are just regular sports injuries for the most part-- bruises, hamstrings, strains, well, ok- a blown knee or shoulder here and there. I think we decided that those were risks that were worth taking for the experience.
When we had boys, particularly one who was very, very physical and with whom we spent many quality hours in the ER, we realized we had choices to make about these things. I had to learn to take deep breaths when the neighbors called and said, "Your son is hanging from the top of the tree in your front yard and why don't you stop him?"
They had one little friend whose mother was a physical therapist and when he came to our house, he wasn't allowed on the trampoline because she had seen too many injuries. We had another whose child was out of control and did things like jump off rooftops and vault from the trampoline into the pool. I never understood her permissiveness, but then my neighbor with only daughters thought I should have had Protective Services called on me. I guess you find your comfort zone for your own children.
Ammo once had stitches after walking into a cymbal in marching band. And last year he had a suspected concussion after doing a somersault over a table in a show.
Some kids aren't safe anywhere. |
