SPORTS MUM

About this time last year, the future was filling me with dread. As the end of the school year drew near, I knew that the upcoming school year for T1 would include a transition from pre-prep to prep school. This, in turn, meant that compulsory competitive sports would become part of the curriculum. And with that came compulsory competitive sports matches every Friday. Uuuugghh.

Here’s my soapbox. Not all kids are good at sports. Not all kids like sports. I’m all about learning sportsmanship, but why must kids be forced into a public display of skill that they didn’t choose? Why aren’t kids forced to speak in foreign languages in front of an audience every week? Or why aren’t they forced to play musical instruments, they didn’t choose to learn, in front of an audience every week? Or why aren’t they forced to draw or paint while everyone watches intently and judges them against their peers? I think there is an inordinate amount of emphasis placed on athletic ability as a measure of worthiness.

Maybe I’m just the Mama Bear who knows that her child doesn’t crave or thrive on the pressure and scrutiny of competitive sports. He’s a thinker. He’s a designer. He’s a creator. And he’s acutely aware that he isn’t the star athlete in the class.

So, I was dreading how this addition to the school day was going to play out. And I was dreading driving all over Suffolk for “away” matches every week.

But now, nine months into the “game”, I have to admit it has turned out better than I expected. T1 has learned and competed in football (soccer), field hockey, rugby, and cricket. And look at the smile on his face.

FOOTBALL

FIELD HOCKEY

RUGBY

*^{I LOVE THIS PHOTO SO MUCH. HE’S CLEARLY ENJOYING THIS!}*

Friday is his favorite day of the week and matches are his favorite part of the day. He’s being exposed to skills that I would never have invested in teaching him. And I’m grateful. And I’m lucky that my favorite mums are as dedicated to spectating as me — I get to catch up with my friends as I pretend to know that you ‘bowl’ instead of ‘pitch’.

CRICKET

*^{“DID YOU SEE WHEN I BOWLED SO HARD I FELL OVER?!”}*

So, this is where I eat crow. I still stand firm on my soapbox, but I know none of my kids will have these opportunities built into the day at their future educational institution. T1 is, in fact, quite disappointed that he won’t have ‘matches’ next year. And he’ll definitely never don ‘cricket whites’ ever again. And that brings tears to my eyes. I am so proud of him. And I may have even enjoyed being a Sports Mum this year.