It’s okay to let your kids quit sports they’re good at. Here’s why……
Former elite female swimmer explains
For so many families, kids’ sports bring a sense of pride, self-worth and accomplishment. They also foster dreams of making it big or getting a scholarship to college. That can make it extremely difficult for parents to accept it when kids want to quit their sport—especially when those kids are performing well and showing promise.
But former elite swimmer Kim Fairley, who has competed in the Olympic Trials and was the second woman ever to receive a full scholarship for swimming at USC, says that no matter how hard it is, parents need to respect their kids’ decision to quit.
As Kim knows from experience, the consequences of pressuring kids to continue can be devastating. For over a decade, Kim swam because her parents made it very hard for her to stop. Despite her athletic achievements, she wound up suffering from anxiety, depression, bulimia and a host of physical ailments related to stress. She writes about this in her forthcoming memoir, Swimming for My Life.
Here’s why she says letting kids quit is a win-win for families and teams:
It lets the child who’s leaving their sport live, grow and learn more honestly.
The child leaving will have more time for joyful activities.
It will alleviate anxiety and its burdens.
It can sometimes free up a spot on the team for a more motivated athlete.
It shows unconditional love and support.