My children are wrapping up their first year playing T-ball being on the same team and it’s been so amazing watching them play. Even in all of the excitement Peter and I have noticed the competition and different approaches to sports as parents. It took me by surprise considering the ages and the program we chose to put them in. We know as we continue this journey our core values will come in conflict with sports.

It all started with giving our children a lot of options and exposure to different sports in our backyard for about a year and we noticed them leaning toward baseball the most. So we went for it! With baseball being more hands on, we thought it was perfect for their ages. Their coach asked if we wanted to keep them in baseball down the road. We said ‘as long as they’d like to be’. When it comes to their interests or activities they get to decide. Their hobbies or interests are about our boys, not us. I didn’t see myself as a mom in the backyard pitching a ball to my boys and having them practice running bases. But here we are! Another unpopular approach Peter and I take with baseball is the time it takes up in our schedule. As much as we want to lean in our children’s interest we don’t fill our calendar with their activities. Before signing them up we see how realistic the hours, locations and days it will take up. If it overlaps with Church they will have to miss. Even amongst fellow believers this is a hard balance. I always remind myself when I come in conflict with this unpopular opinion.

My children will be standing before God on judgement day. Not their coach.

As we encourage our children in their activities we hope they too walk away with these truths: this is for them, it’s good to do activities that bring them joy, and balance is important.