My son wants to play football and I don't want him to.

I dont think american football is as dangerous as, say rugby (from which american football is copied of course!). Anyway i think in the US it might help him to get into a good college under a scholarship...so while your fear is not completely unfounded, he might one day feel you lost him a golden opportunity...so the best thing is to let him play but keep a close watch on him...expericences only moulds a person and i believe children should be given a chance to pursue their passion...so LET HIM PLAY AND ENJOY!!!

I would reconsider it. I think if you sat down and talked it out. You should always back a child in positive actions and consider the worse that could happen in a sport at that age. I would be happy he would wantto. When I was young I didnt want to do anything and think he had a negative outcome on my social behaviour.

If he was my son 1st thing is research and other doctors. Life can be hard the choices will have to make but his health is more important two spleen operations at his age. OK this is what i suggest theres a health section in Yahoo!Answers and theres alot of doctors that answer questions within days you may find the answer you or looking. For me as a parent i say no because if he gets hurt bad really bad you will carry this with you for the rest of his life. Iam a bodyguard its just not football anytime anywhere you can be hit in the wrong place and life can end our kids get mad at us when they or young but thet forgive us later as they grow up and know we make choices because we love them not hate them. Football is a rough sport and if the other team got wind of you son problem and he that good and in the way of them winning this is a guess but one could take a cheap shot to put him on the bench. There alot of NFL football players who had to make a choice like this with an injury and was making millions of dollors but they knew what was right and what was wrong and walked away iam sure it hurts you but if it comes down to it he can to and hold his head up and be a proud young man. Well you sound like you are giving into peer pressure anyways. So just let him play.

my nephew is eight going on 9 this month and he has been playing it for a few years. so far all he has had is a few bruises. you have to remember kids football isn't like adult football yeah some might get hurt but he'll be all right. I had misgivings about when he started to he is small and so skinny I thought for sure he would get hurt for sure but so far as i said nothing major bruises heal. but if your that worried they do have to pass a physical to play if the doctor doesn't think he should play he will tell you so. good luck, because as you know kids will keep asking till they finally get what they want.

I understand where your coming from. My son plays football, varsity this year in fact ~ and I think it is the best thing he has ever been a part of. I can't say that I would have let him at 7 years old, however if you start them young they can handle themselves better at the High School level thus less chance of getting hurt. There are risks with everything... even walking across the street. Football has given my son more confidence in himself, a large group of quality friends that have his back no matter what, he has a great sense of discipline (the work them hard! even in the summer!) I could go on! Lastly.. there is nothing like a Friday nite game under the lites! I say let him play mama!

I know how ya feel i was like that when my son of 8 wanted to play i let him cause hes really good and he really wantd to do it ,he was in 3rd grade and i went to a game scared outta my wits for him to play but its really not that bad they even moved him up with the 6th graders a playin and it scared me even more but really it wasnt bad as u think it would be

oh come on ! If ur son wants to play football, let him .. If u try keeping him away from it , it will invoke more affinity towards the game .. Let him play .. maybe sometime later, he'll feel bored and quit it ..

You have the right as a parent to tell your child yes or no, but remember that your answer has to be for the right reason. sure football is dangerous, but it is also fun. it teaches kids how to productively be part of a team, and the glorious feeling of winning and the let down of losing, it teaches sportsmanship and creates friendships that could last a lifetime. dont let your fear of the chance that he could get hurt stop him from having this experience. you cant protect them from everything and sometimes you have to let them handle it on their own. plus its a great feeling to watch them play and have fun, in fact just by going to some of his games your fear may be calmed

Yes because his heart is set on playing. Maybe you should think it over and wait till he is a little older if you feel safer. But since he is only 7 I don't see a concern for him getting hurt since it is flag football. Then again down the line as he grows up there is that possiblity. Maybe once he tries it out he might not like it and move on to other things. If he does like it embrace it with him, you never know if you get into to football the enjoyment might override the fear you have of him playing.

I agree with coach88, maybe a softer sport. But kids have heroes in football, soccer, baseball, etc, It´s difficult to say no, but sometimes it´s better that he cries instead of us.

be patient be nice

I played American football in High School. I did not get hurt but even still, I would not allow children of mine, if I had any, to play. I know people who did take injuries that seriously hurt their other career choices after High School. If your son does sign up to play American football, I hope you will think again when they ask you sign the injury waiver. Waiver? That's right, this sport is so dangerous practically all schools require the parents to sign a waiver of the right to sue for injuries. American football at the school level is extremely exploitative and if there are any injuries the school will assume no responsibility. Your son is skillful at other sports, let him play those, not American football.

well as you know football is a contact sport, but you have to understand that little league ball can mold him into a professional later on in life. i think he will continue to be upset. its one way men can be men and do men things

if that's the only fall/winter sport he wants to play I'd reconsider and let him. It's important to learn how to be a part of a team, it comes into play more often than you think in life such as at school, work, and social clubs.

Yes anything in life is dangerous, and I understand your concern. But Pop Warner Football helps your son be involved with other kids his age, helps him learn about his body and many other things. This may sound harsh, but if you covet your son too much, it will show when he gets older, just like some men that were raised with to many women in the house.

I agree with coach88, maybe a softer sport. But kids have heroes in football, soccer, baseball, etc, It´s difficult to say no, but sometimes it´s better that he cries instead of us.

If you let him play all kinds of other sports than what's american football? He can still play the other games. I would tell him that maybe when he is older and bigger I will consider it. Maybe turn him on to another game or competition that you think is better.

If you let him play all kinds of other sports than what's american football? He can still play the other games. I would tell him that maybe when he is older and bigger I will consider it. Maybe turn him on to another game or competition that you think is better.

do allow him

I have coached football for over 30 years....I have coached midget , jr high school and senior high school football..Starting a boy at age 7 is way too young. Their bodies are not ready for that kind of contact at such an early age....(This statement was spoken by Mike Ditka, and Norm Snead, and an orthopedic sergeon at a football banquet). Age 13 is the earliest age a boy should start playing this sport. Many boys who have started playing so youn get burned out by the time they reach high school age. Age 13 is plenty early enough for any boy to learn the football techniques, and will be eager to continue playing throughothis high school years. As far as him holding a grudge against you, if he is learning that his dad only wants the best for him, he will get over it pretty quickly.