Why we choose Life Sports for kids

Umm…. what are Life Sports, Julie? I wondered the same thing until last week, when I realized I already knew! (you probably do too!).

I was standing around talking with some fellow homeschool moms last week, and the talk turned to sports for our kids. And one mom mentioned that they choose “Life Sports” for kids. I immediately had to ask, and when she answered, I realized… WE do that too! I just didn’t have a name for it!

Life Sports are sports children can learn and master now while they’re young, and continue to enjoy well into their adult and even elderly years. Isn’t that a great concept?

I mean, if you love team sports, that is great, but how many people are playing team sports when they’re forty? Fifty? Sixty? A life sport can be enjoyed not just when your child is in their prime teen and young adult years, but for their whole life.

Why we choose Life Sports for kids

I already stated my main reason for life sports, which is a lifelong enjoyment of a favorite activity.

For our family, I go a step further and say that a great life sport choice is one that can be enjoyed alone or with others. So your child can ALWAYS choose to enjoy their favorite sport no matter what!

Another factor is that team sports are often seasonal (some life sports are too though), meaning the time you can enjoy them is shorter. Depending on what it is, a Life Sport can often be enjoyed in three or even four seasons of the year.

Frankly, I’m not cut out to be a soccer mom. Okay, I actually love soccer, so this is ironic! But I love to PLAY soccer. I do not enjoy watching the ball for ninety minutes. Life Sports allow parents to participate with their child, building family memories and bonds. Sitting on the sidelines is not my thing!

Speaking of sidelines… Life Sports usually allow your child to play the entire time! Team sports often require subbing in and out, and if you’re not “a star” your child can be disappointed and sitting on the bench the whole season. Not very “active,” eh?

I also believe that a life sport promotes personal experience and healthy competition. Team sports, as I mentioned above have the potential to bring about a lot of disappointment for the benched player, and seem intensely competitive. In a life sport, you’re usually just out to enjoy the fun, or beat your personal best, not beat someone else.

A few Examples of Life Sports

• Swimming*
• Bicycling
• Boating / Sailing
• Running*
• Hiking*
• Camping*
• Fishing
• Martial Arts*
• Dance
• Skiing
• Gymnastics (maybe)*
• Ice Skating (maybe)
• Golfing
• Tennis (or other raquet sports)*

Can you think of any more? That’s certainly a great list to choose from! The ones with asterisks are those we have already introduced to our five and three year old – which is another benefit – most can be started VERY young!

Are life sports all there is? Certainly not!

I am NOT at all saying my child will never play on a team, or that if you love team sports that is a bad thing. I certainly plan to have my children learn the basics of how to play many common team sports, because that is valuable too!

For our homeschooling, we choose life sports for kids because we believe they will be the best investment of our family time and financial resources. And for homeschooling parents concerned about giving their children a sports experience, I wanted to share with you why we’re choosing to pursue life sports versus team sports.

I hope my thoughts have been helpful to you, and I am so interested to hear about how you do sports with your kids and your favorite sport! Tell me in the comments!

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