It is difficult to figure out activities for your children: How many activities should you and your children commit to? Which activities will your children enjoy doing? How will these activities benefit your kids? There are many options when it comes to extracurricular activities that it can be hard to choose, but you should always look to your kids and take note of their personal interests to help guide your decisions.
\n
Growing up, I pretty much failed at every athletic endeavor I tried... anything I was introduced to in PE class which resembled a sport, that cringe- worthy summer of softball, and those two hilarious years of ballet and tap. You’d think I’d try to steer my kids away from sports but instead, I do what I can to encourage them to give sports a try.
\n
You signed your child up for soccer or hockey, and then the league sent you an email: ‘We need coaches!’ Maybe you had never coached kids’ sports before, and you thought it might be fun to coach. Maybe your coaching credentials are as long as your arm, and you had counted down the days to take to the ice with your Timbit. Either way, you were excited to help out and have been coaching ever since.
\n
I can’t imagine that any parent would discourage their young child from following their dreams, no matter how lofty. However, as any parent of an elite athlete or Olympian will likely tell you, there’s a high price to pay - and not just financial - for this pursuit. A price many say is worth every penny and time spent, but one which both parent and child need to go into with their eyes wide open.
\nPage 8 of 12
Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2025 Calgary’s Child
