My poor baby! My son went to his first tackle football practice.
By miamilady
@miamilady (4910)
United States
July 17, 2007 11:49pm CST
He's 11 years old and he decided to try out tackle football. Today was his first practice. It was 2 hours long. It was hot and it looked gruelling. Poor kid. He came home exhausted and achy.
I saw a group of younger kids running by with their coaches. I think they were 7 years old. The coaches were hollering at them to keep moving. I thought to myself. Poor babies! lol
I'm such a mom!
6 people like this
17 responses
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
18 Jul 07
Yes, those coaches can sound so ruthless, that it makes you want to grab your child, give them a hug and run them home. But sports are really good for them. They learn discipline, team work, competitiveness and the list goes on. Of course, if it were my child, that coach would get punched for yelling at my kid, just kidding, LOL.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Is tackle football like rugby? how cool and challenging I bet.
I am looking forward to the day my son starts to participate in sports, I would be just the same. My parents followed us around to every game when we played sports especially basketball and netball and we had to eventually ban our dad from coming because he was even louder than the coaches AND said a few things he shouldn't of said LOL thats parents for ya though!
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
18 Jul 07
It is similar to Rugby. I think some claim that Rugby is a more "manly" sport because they don't use pads. I think some people debate that topic. But anyway, some of the rules are similar. Similar object to the game.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
18 Jul 07
I am only familiar with rugby (Go All Blacks LOL) but not with tackle football. Thanks for the clarifying.
1 person likes this
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
18 Jul 07
miamilady, when your son begins to get his first football practice in a football academy, feel great about it because that is a direct route to being a celebrity-for him to be there, he was identified for his talent, he must be a very promising soccer star, I like football a lot and am going to pray that you allow the young man to keep practicing inspite of the hostile weather!
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
18 Jul 07
@ hours ! that seem abit much for 11 year olds . But then kids bounce back so fast.
But if the kids are running I dont see how the couch should be hollering at them to keep moving they are probably running as fast as they can. lol Some couch dont use there heads.
I hope ya had plenty of Gator aide out there. and good for your boy at least he is doing something outside and not laying up in room playing plat station like alot of kids do now adays.
hugs to mom
2 people like this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Awww poor kid! The good news is that he's active and sports often times helps kids later in life. I used to watch the kids practice and play soccer in the field accross the street where I used to life and I felt so bad for them. They'd be out there rain or shine, and I'm in the South so it gets all hot and muggy. Kids bounce back quick though, just keep them hydrated and they're good to go.
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
18 Jul 07
It will get him in shape, that's for sure! Not that he's out of shape but this takes things to a new level. He's been playing baseball since he was 4.
Football is a whole other animal. lol
1 person likes this
@compumom (738)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Kids can be mean sometimes, but your son is following his heart. It's better he quit now rather than going through the motions and being miserable.
I applaud him for following his heart and applaud you for supporting him. He may have a rough few days, but in the long run he'll be happy with his decision. Life is too short to spend it in misery.
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Jul 07
He didn't enjoy it and he wasn't thrilled about going back again but it was his decission. He didn't enjoy today either. He is considering quitting.
I found out today that it isn't too late to get a refund, I guess that means that it's normal for a certain number of boys to drop out.
Now he's concerned about what people with think. He knows he has my support but there is only so much one can do to control friends and family. He's afraid he will be teased if he quits.
I can tell friends and family to back off but I'm sure there might still be a little bit of what might be thought of as "good natured ribbing". That's how people will think of it without considering he might not find it so charming.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Yes, and he will sleep well tonight. SPorts is one way to keep a kid tired and out of trouble. It worked for my son, he was always too tired to get into trouble, of course I was too tired too...from chauffeuring him around and working and trying to do all of the other mom things.
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Yes, it did wear him out and it is nice that he is sleeping soundly. It seems it may be more than what he wants though. Time will tell.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Sometimes I think the adults push these little kids too much. 11 is probably a good age to start tacklet football. Maybe your son will enjoy it. Who knows maybe he will become the next great player. But if he decides to quit dont worry, maybe it isn't for him. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
18 Jul 07
That's exactly what I'm thinking. He wanted to try it out. He asked. I didn't push. It's up to him entirely if he wants to stick with it or not.
In most cases I would push him to follow through on anything he's started, but in this case, considering the physical roughness of it. If he feels he can't stick with it, I would understand.
1 person likes this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Football is a tough sport and if you are going to allow your child to play then you have to be ready for it. The kids have to be able to handle the sport physically as well as mentally and they work hard at preparing them.
1 person likes this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Yes it is a tough sport. I'm letting him make the calls on whether to continue or not. I did my "poor baby" thing here on myLot, but I'm not doing it with him. It's his call one way or another if he wants to pursue this. He's been playing baseball since he was 4. I thought that was rough sometimes. It is nothing compared to what I've seen in football.
It's a huge difference. Do you have a child who plays football?
1 person likes this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Yeah, I think that's the general dialogue between mom's and dad's.
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
18 Jul 07
Hi,
That is great that he is playing tackle football. I played all while I was growing up and I loved every second of it. Not only that, but it will help him to develop his work ethic and give him a definate direction in the beginning of what are often difficult and awkward years. Good for him!
cheers,
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Jul 07
You loved every second of it? Really? He isn't having the same experience. Day 2 and he's considering quitting. He was considering it on day 1 also, but today was worse. I've told him the first day was probably the hardest. Now we're telling him the first week is probably the hardest. I'm not sure what he's going to do.
@hiddenball2 (77)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Ahhh the good old days. When I played football my mother would alsways try to get me to quit. I broke my shoulder, tore my ACL and suffered 6 concussions. Of course I played through high school so it was a lot more competitive. Regardless, it is a dangerous sport, however i would not go beck and change a thing. Kudos to you for letting him decide what he wants.
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Did you ever feel like quitting or did you just keep going back for more?
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
19 Jul 07
My father would say and so would my husband, "It is good for them, it makes them tough, and make them grow up." I think the same things sometimes even though I am not a mom. I guess it is just the nature of a woman to nurturing like that. Stay strong, and keep encouraging him. Take care and have a great day.
@Meatballsurgery (140)
• Sweden
18 Jul 07
Yes you are :D But as long as he has fun then let him continue
