Ask Amy: Youth sports commitments spark responses
Dear Readers: A recent question from a dad (“J”) who felt pressured by his mother to attend family events over his kids’ sporting events prompted a lively response on both sides of a consistent and challenging parenting issue: The pressure sports programs place on players and their parents, who are frequently required to travel to games on weekends and over holidays.
I encouraged “J” to occasionally miss games in order to attend family functions.
Some reader responses are printed below.
Dear Amy: As a parent and teenage counselor, I can assure you that you were wrong in telling that father that he should miss some of his children's sports activities in order to attend family funerals and other family events.
Your child comes first!
Those children will always remember parents supporting them. They will not be spoiled because of it.
Shame, shame on you!
– Disappointed
Dear Amy: My husband and I were like “J.”
We have few regrets about our kids’ sports participation.
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