With all the pressure on team sports like soccer and baseball these days, what is a parent to do if their child doesn’t enjoy playing sports?  There are actually lots of options, and it is nice that there is an article addressing this situation.  One idea offered is dancing as a “non-competitive” activity, and as a kid who danced through most of my childhood and teen years, I have to offer some correction.  Dancing is very competitive, but in a different way.  If you don’t think that a bunch of girls in a room compete on who can turn the fastest, jump the highest or hold their leg up for the longest period of time, think again.  It is still a valuable experience for girls who may not be the soccer types, and I am glad to see parents being encouraged to help their children find an activity that will allow them to develop and shine.

I really understand this dilemma because I remember my dad trying to get me interested in basketball.  There is really no sport I am less inclined to play, except for maybe football.  So, I continued my dancing, and I think my dad decided to give up.  When I see the current focus on mainstream sports like soccer and baseball, I wonder about the kids who like me, have other things they want to pursue, and how their parents handle that pressure considering that the world is so much more competitive for children today.  Hopefully, parents are willing to step outside of the mold when necessary and make decisions based on their child’s abilities, but hey, we are human, and we need reminders sometimes.