Having your kids play sports is a great way to keep them active and have them meet new people. But getting them involved isn't always easy, especially when they're not particularly interested in athletics.
With two fussy daughters on their hands, my parents had an especially hard time getting my sister and I excited about joining any sort of team–that is, until they finally figured out a way to compromise. So how did they do it? Read on below to find out 5 ways to motivate your girls to play sports:
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Let them pick the sport of their own choice. You might be a hardcore basketball fan, but that doesn't mean your daughter is too. She could be more interested in softball or soccer. Whatever the case, allow her to pursue the sport she likes the best. That way, she'll actually be enthusiastic about playing.
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Think outside the fields and courts. After several failed attempts to get my sister and I interested in more traditional sports, my parents started thinking outside the box and eventually decided to enroll us in dance classes. Bingo! Both my sister and I attended all types of dance classes for more than 10 years. It kept us busy and active, we made tons of new friends, and most importantly, we enjoyed it too.
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Play to their interests. When talking to them about getting involved, make sure you mention the aspects of sports that will appeal to them most. If they're very social, play up the fact that teams tend to form close bonds. If they're crazy about exercise, point out practicing after school every day and playing at games is a great way to stay active.
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Show support. Once they join a team, you essentially have to join too. Make sure you go to as many of their games, meets, recitals, what have you, as possible. And remember that having a child join a team is a time commitment for you too–so try not to complain when you most likely frequently find yourself shuttling around between practices and games every weekend.
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Offer constructive feedback. After your girls start playing, let them know that you're noticing their efforts by pointing out a great move they made on the field or how well they're working with the rest of the team. Encourage them to keep practicing and improving, but just make sure not to become too critical or negative as that will only discourage them from playing.
Image via quiltsalad/flickr
