Comments on: He Wants to Quit Baseball http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/ Life in my Crazy House of Boys Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:04:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wordless Wednesday ~ Game Ball http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-10056 Wordless Wednesday ~ Game Ball Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:11:49 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-10056 [...] Mr. A. has not been real thrilled with his baseball playing experience this year.  He is easily discouraged and has wanted to give up several times.  [...] [...] Mr. A. has not been real thrilled with his baseball playing experience this year.  He is easily discouraged and has wanted to give up several times.  [...]

]]> By: Julie Bianchi http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7291 Julie Bianchi Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:19:12 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7291 My son did the SAME thing when he played t-ball at age 5. He LOVED it at first, especially the uniform, etc. But like your son, his attention wasn't all there and he got bored. But after paying "x" amount for the registration and "x" amount for the uniform and cleats, I really didn't want him to give up so fast. Even when it's a city league, it gets expensive! And his dad (we're divorced) was a total jerk about it and told him he was being a "weeny" if he gave up etc. I, the "mother-coddeler", didn't want my son to be upset or feel forced into playing, but being an ex-athlete myself, I really wanted him to at least finish the season and get their little trophies etc (which I knew he would LOVE). So I told him just to stick it out for the few weeks that were left and he would be excited and happy he did because there was a reward when it was over. That won him over because he REALLY wanted that trophy (and the pizza/pool party too!). He finished and played the following year and really enjoyed it. I realized though that he loves to play the game, he just doesn't want to do the hard work that comes with it! My son did the SAME thing when he played t-ball at age 5. He LOVED it at first, especially the uniform, etc. But like your son, his attention wasn’t all there and he got bored. But after paying “x” amount for the registration and “x” amount for the uniform and cleats, I really didn’t want him to give up so fast. Even when it’s a city league, it gets expensive! And his dad (we’re divorced) was a total jerk about it and told him he was being a “weeny” if he gave up etc. I, the “mother-coddeler”, didn’t want my son to be upset or feel forced into playing, but being an ex-athlete myself, I really wanted him to at least finish the season and get their little trophies etc (which I knew he would LOVE). So I told him just to stick it out for the few weeks that were left and he would be excited and happy he did because there was a reward when it was over. That won him over because he REALLY wanted that trophy (and the pizza/pool party too!). He finished and played the following year and really enjoyed it. I realized though that he loves to play the game, he just doesn’t want to do the hard work that comes with it!

]]> By: Tiffany http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7284 Tiffany Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:06:15 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7284 That's great that you aren't letting him quit. I don't necessarily think it's great to push kids, but I don't think it's great to let them quit the first time they encounter something they don't like. And I don't think you are being pushy at all. I agree - he does look adorable in his uniform! That’s great that you aren’t letting him quit. I don’t necessarily think it’s great to push kids, but I don’t think it’s great to let them quit the first time they encounter something they don’t like. And I don’t think you are being pushy at all.
I agree – he does look adorable in his uniform!

]]> By: heidi http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7263 heidi Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:39:43 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7263 having watched plenty of our friends' 5 year olds suffer through baseball or t-ball, we've decided to start tristan out in soccer instead. i think soccer is much easier to understand, plus they get way more exercise that way! but i do think that he should just stick it out to the end of the season, then maybe give him a choice next year as to whether he'd like to try baseball again, or switch to soccer or another sport. having watched plenty of our friends’ 5 year olds suffer through baseball or t-ball, we’ve decided to start tristan out in soccer instead. i think soccer is much easier to understand, plus they get way more exercise that way! but i do think that he should just stick it out to the end of the season, then maybe give him a choice next year as to whether he’d like to try baseball again, or switch to soccer or another sport.

]]> By: deb http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7253 deb Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:42:39 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7253 Once my kids make a committment to the team, it's not fair to quit. The other players depend on them as part of the team. My daughter picked weeds during t-ball, so that lasted one season. We switched to soccer, which is much more exciting and engaging. Give it a try. Once my kids make a committment to the team, it’s not fair to quit. The other players depend on them as part of the team. My daughter picked weeds during t-ball, so that lasted one season. We switched to soccer, which is much more exciting and engaging. Give it a try.

]]> By: Sheryl http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7252 Sheryl Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:11:36 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7252 Rhea, our rule around here is if you sign up for a sport, then you finish the season. After that, there is no pressure to play again. I think it's important to make the kids understand that if they commit to something then they have to finish. I'm not sure of how many more games and practices he has left, but I would show him how many there are and count down with him till he's done. That might make it easier for him. Good Luck! Rhea, our rule around here is if you sign up for a sport, then you finish the season. After that, there is no pressure to play again. I think it’s important to make the kids understand that if they commit to something then they have to finish. I’m not sure of how many more games and practices he has left, but I would show him how many there are and count down with him till he’s done. That might make it easier for him. Good Luck!

]]> By: Lucy http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7251 Lucy Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:12:49 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7251 Our son is 5 too and we are going to set a one year rule. If you still dont like it by the end of the season then you dont have to keep going. A lot can happen to turn their frustration around in a few months. Lucy Our son is 5 too and we are going to set a one year rule. If you still dont like it by the end of the season then you dont have to keep going. A lot can happen to turn their frustration around in a few months.

Lucy

]]> By: Tina McCaulley http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7250 Tina McCaulley Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:39:08 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7250 no your not a meanie or fat. but he will probably be glad to finish out the season. no your not a meanie or fat. but he will probably be glad to finish out the season.

]]> By: Tammy http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7249 Tammy Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:16:47 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7249 Sounds like he just isn't ready for team sports yet. In a year or two that could change. In the meantime, if you make him stay you could risk him hating the game all together. Sounds like he just isn’t ready for team sports yet. In a year or two that could change. In the meantime, if you make him stay you could risk him hating the game all together.

]]> By: mommy23monkeys http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7248 mommy23monkeys Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:33:27 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7248 Thanks everyone for your thoughts. You all just reinforced my thoughts of not letting him quit. I'm not a big fat meanie...I'm not! lol Thanks everyone for your thoughts. You all just reinforced my thoughts of not letting him quit. I’m not a big fat meanie…I’m not! lol

]]> By: Lori A. http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7247 Lori A. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:49:37 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7247 My son tried t-ball at 4 years old and he was bored, too. There just isn't much for them to do at that age with that game. We did make him finish out the season, though. That's how we choose to do things...you want to sign up for something then you have to follow through. If they don't want to sign up again, that's fine. He tried soccer for a couple of seasons and liked it ok. He still didn't really pay a whole lot of attention at the games (lol) but he said he liked being there. We've taken a break the last 2 seasons so I'm curious to see if he would be more attentive now that he's a little older (6 now). My daughter begged to take Tae Kwon Do. She started back when she was about 7 years old. After a couple of years she was complaining about wanting to quit. We told her that we had already put a lot of time and money into it and she needed to at least achieve a black belt and then she could decide whether to continue or not. She did earn her black belt this year and she was so proud of herself. I am glad we "made" her stay with it. She is starting to get a little bored with it now...I hate to see her stop, but she has been at it for almost 5 years now. We talked to her teacher about being bored and he said that's pretty normal after getting the black belt because there isn't as much to learn. So, I think we're going to let her stop but she needs to find something else she's interested in doing. I would love for her to do something with physical activity, but she is more of the artsy type...she wants to take piano lessons now. My son tried t-ball at 4 years old and he was bored, too. There just isn’t much for them to do at that age with that game. We did make him finish out the season, though. That’s how we choose to do things…you want to sign up for something then you have to follow through. If they don’t want to sign up again, that’s fine. He tried soccer for a couple of seasons and liked it ok. He still didn’t really pay a whole lot of attention at the games (lol) but he said he liked being there. We’ve taken a break the last 2 seasons so I’m curious to see if he would be more attentive now that he’s a little older (6 now).
My daughter begged to take Tae Kwon Do. She started back when she was about 7 years old. After a couple of years she was complaining about wanting to quit. We told her that we had already put a lot of time and money into it and she needed to at least achieve a black belt and then she could decide whether to continue or not. She did earn her black belt this year and she was so proud of herself. I am glad we “made” her stay with it. She is starting to get a little bored with it now…I hate to see her stop, but she has been at it for almost 5 years now. We talked to her teacher about being bored and he said that’s pretty normal after getting the black belt because there isn’t as much to learn.
So, I think we’re going to let her stop but she needs to find something else she’s interested in doing. I would love for her to do something with physical activity, but she is more of the artsy type…she wants to take piano lessons now.

]]> By: Karissa http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7245 Karissa Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:03:03 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7245 I think right now is a good time to show him that you can't quit anything. I wish my mom wouldn't have let me. but to be quite honest for her it was a chore to tote me around, so when I said, i don't wanna, she said ok, and that was that. (not the case with my bro, but that is another advice section!) Don't make it seem like punishment, or he will never want to do anything like it in the future, but I sincerely wish my mom had made me stick it out, and not let me quit dance, and gymnastics etc. If he doesn't want to next year, don't make him though. I think right now is a good time to show him that you can’t quit anything. I wish my mom wouldn’t have let me. but to be quite honest for her it was a chore to tote me around, so when I said, i don’t wanna, she said ok, and that was that. (not the case with my bro, but that is another advice section!)

Don’t make it seem like punishment, or he will never want to do anything like it in the future, but I sincerely wish my mom had made me stick it out, and not let me quit dance, and gymnastics etc.

If he doesn’t want to next year, don’t make him though.

]]> By: Staci A http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7244 Staci A Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:58:33 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7244 I would make a deal...like try it for this many more games and practices and then make a decision. Maybe try to find out what the real reason is that he wants to quit. (Doesn't enjoy it? Because he got in trouble? Worried about it? etc) I'm not one to force my little one to continue anything either, but I want to be sure he will be happy with his decision. Though I did let him quit soccer year before last because he wasn't enjoying it and the coach was a moron. (She had no regards for the safety of these little kids.) But I would definitely keep the experience positive and try again next year! (And maybe look into something non-competitive/not as structured. We do tumbling and it's a perfect fit, gets out lots of energy without all the rules of other sports.) I would make a deal…like try it for this many more games and practices and then make a decision. Maybe try to find out what the real reason is that he wants to quit. (Doesn’t enjoy it? Because he got in trouble? Worried about it? etc)

I’m not one to force my little one to continue anything either, but I want to be sure he will be happy with his decision. Though I did let him quit soccer year before last because he wasn’t enjoying it and the coach was a moron. (She had no regards for the safety of these little kids.)

But I would definitely keep the experience positive and try again next year! (And maybe look into something non-competitive/not as structured. We do tumbling and it’s a perfect fit, gets out lots of energy without all the rules of other sports.)

]]> By: Maria http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7242 Maria Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:28:19 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7242 I'm more of a "stick with it". You don't sound like a "pushy" parent, so I'm not worried that you're making him do it for wrong reasons. It;s important to do it for the right reasons though, and it sounds like it may be something that helps him learn several skils. BTW, my son is very much like yours! I’m more of a “stick with it”. You don’t sound like a “pushy” parent, so I’m not worried that you’re making him do it for wrong reasons. It;s important to do it for the right reasons though, and it sounds like it may be something that helps him learn several skils. BTW, my son is very much like yours!

]]> By: Kekibird http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/09/30/he-wants-to-quit-baseball/#comment-7241 Kekibird Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:11:29 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3213#comment-7241 I'd say give him a chance, like 2 more games and a few practices, see if his opinion changes. I’d say give him a chance, like 2 more games and a few practices, see if his opinion changes.

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