Comments on: Softball http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/ Ooooh, Aaah. That comes first. Then later there's running and screaming. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:09:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: alison http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/#comment-1931 alison Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:07:11 +0000 http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-1931 Whether or not she actually plays on a team, I would keep the equipment around. I'm not the sporty type, but have fond memories of make-shift sports in the yard with my family. Maybe after a summer of playing catch and hitting a few slow pitches, she'll be more interested. I played softball a couple summers and loved it, but batting cages still intimidate me. Whether or not she actually plays on a team, I would keep the equipment around. I’m not the sporty type, but have fond memories of make-shift sports in the yard with my family. Maybe after a summer of playing catch and hitting a few slow pitches, she’ll be more interested. I played softball a couple summers and loved it, but batting cages still intimidate me.

]]> By: jeremy http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/#comment-1923 jeremy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:47:31 +0000 http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-1923 I think it's our fault though. Out of the blue she said she wanted to play softball even though all she knew was you had a bat and hit a ball. I don't think she really understood anything about it. With things like swimming lessons she knew what she was doing ahead of time. So for now on I think we'll make sure she understands what she's getting in to. I think it’s our fault though. Out of the blue she said she wanted to play softball even though all she knew was you had a bat and hit a ball. I don’t think she really understood anything about it. With things like swimming lessons she knew what she was doing ahead of time. So for now on I think we’ll make sure she understands what she’s getting in to.

]]> By: Mom http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/#comment-1922 Mom Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:45:34 +0000 http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-1922 I think it is important for her to understand that she needs to try things, even if they are hard. Think reading, for example. If you had let her give up on that where would she be now? I believe this lesson applies to most things in life (that are legal, moral and affordable). At least try it. She may be surprised. I remember trying to get out of geometry in 9th grade after only a few days. I didn't understand it and hated it! I went to my guidance counselor (two per school - imagine that in these days). She convinced me to have my dad drive me to school early and meet with the teacher for a few days. I am glad I stuck it out because the long term consequences would have been that I would not have been able to take some of the advanced math classes in high school, and I really loved those classes. I do, however, still dislike geometry, but at least I have that knowledge and background to use. I also think it is important for her to understand that she cannot just go from thing to thing constantly without any type of consequences. Once she decides to play she should live with that decision until the end of the season. You have invested time and cash to get her so she could go. If she succeeds it will be such a confidence booster for her. None of this is meant to be a criticism of anyone's parenting decisions. That is just the way I worked. That's my two cents. Now, does that mean I have to walk the entire 5K next month or can I just walk part of the way with Wyatt??? I think it is important for her to understand that she needs to try things, even if they are hard. Think reading, for example. If you had let her give up on that where would she be now? I believe this lesson applies to most things in life (that are legal, moral and affordable). At least try it. She may be surprised.
I remember trying to get out of geometry in 9th grade after only a few days. I didn’t understand it and hated it! I went to my guidance counselor (two per school - imagine that in these days). She convinced me to have my dad drive me to school early and meet with the teacher for a few days. I am glad I stuck it out because the long term consequences would have been that I would not have been able to take some of the advanced math classes in high school, and I really loved those classes. I do, however, still dislike geometry, but at least I have that knowledge and background to use.
I also think it is important for her to understand that she cannot just go from thing to thing constantly without any type of consequences. Once she decides to play she should live with that decision until the end of the season. You have invested time and cash to get her so she could go. If she succeeds it will be such a confidence booster for her.
None of this is meant to be a criticism of anyone’s parenting decisions. That is just the way I worked.
That’s my two cents. Now, does that mean I have to walk the entire 5K next month or can I just walk part of the way with Wyatt???

]]> By: Jamie http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/#comment-1921 Jamie Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:47:11 +0000 http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-1921 I was a small kid and my parents pushed me to get into all kinds of athletics. I spent a least two seasons of soccer playing as a fullback, most of which involved actually sitting down in the dirt and watching the distant mass of other kids kicking the ball around. Years later when I told my parents I had hated soccer, they were totally shocked. I asked them if they had ever actually WATCHED me play, and they could just shrug sheepishly. I do think athletics is a great activity, though. It promotes health, social interaction, and self esteem. What I plan to do is expose my kids to all kinds of sports and just hope something sticks. But I guess I'll learn from you and see if I can rent the equipment first. I was a small kid and my parents pushed me to get into all kinds of athletics. I spent a least two seasons of soccer playing as a fullback, most of which involved actually sitting down in the dirt and watching the distant mass of other kids kicking the ball around. Years later when I told my parents I had hated soccer, they were totally shocked. I asked them if they had ever actually WATCHED me play, and they could just shrug sheepishly.

I do think athletics is a great activity, though. It promotes health, social interaction, and self esteem. What I plan to do is expose my kids to all kinds of sports and just hope something sticks. But I guess I’ll learn from you and see if I can rent the equipment first.

]]> By: Kimberlie http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/softball/#comment-1920 Kimberlie Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:24:25 +0000 http://www.johnsenclan.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-1920 She's old enough that the friend issue might come into play. If she has or meets a friend there the first time, you may be in luck! Once Shaylie asked me if she could play soccer(and I think she was in first grade, now that I think about it....) She said she loved soccer, but hated running. Oh, and she also hated kicking the ball. But, she was going to love being with her friends. We decided to stick with dance, which she loved at the time, and just invite her friends over. Good luck with this one! She’s old enough that the friend issue might come into play. If she has or meets a friend there the first time, you may be in luck! Once Shaylie asked me if she could play soccer(and I think she was in first grade, now that I think about it….) She said she loved soccer, but hated running. Oh, and she also hated kicking the ball. But, she was going to love being with her friends. We decided to stick with dance, which she loved at the time, and just invite her friends over. Good luck with this one!

]]>