Volleyball & Soccer

My girls love sports! Katie loves sports so much that she is currently involved in two. Volleyball and soccer. Her schedule is demanding, but I never hear her complain. As long as she earns good grades and gets her homework done...I'm cool with it. I'm even willing to drive all over the region for her.
Luckily today's volleyball game was here, at our own school. They won!! It was very exciting. I especially like the sportsmanship shown from both teams. In fact, one of my close friend who has a daughter that is one of Katie's best friends (they live down the street from us) played on the visitor team. We sat next to each other, both cheering for our own school and saying, good try...to the other team. It was nice. Of course when these kids get to high school, they'll all be on the same team.
So, Katie practices volleyball everyday (except Friday) for an hour. On Mondays & Fridays we drive to Lotus Field (20 minute drive) for a 2 hour soccer practice with games every Saturday. Megan is also into soccer. Fortunately she has not entered into the world of "select soccer" so her games are held locally every week. Katie's are held all over the place.

Many parents fear sports. I know because I was one of them. I waited until my girls told me that they wanted to be involved. I never pushed them one bit. I was afraid that soccer, swim team, softball, volleyball and the rest would eat up every last minute of free time we had. Actually- I think it is making us a stronger family. Even though the schedule gets tiresome and mileage is stacking up at an alarming speed...the games are fun and the benefits are worth it. They are getting more than exercise. They are learning to take orders (from someone other than parents and teachers), they are finding out what it means to trust others and to share a victory. Losses build character and give them experience of how to deal with not always being the best.
The biggest reward, I would say, is involvement. Just being with your friends, being part of a team, working together for one common goal. People need people. We were designed that way and it just feels good to pat someone on the back and say..."Hey, you did a great job out there! Way to go!" Makes me wish I had had those opportunities as a kid too.