The word "Elite" has jumped the shark.

[Unregistered]

Every parent has already figured out they can't win in many other people's eyes. They are either over involved or neglectful of their kids.

And how is supporting my kid's interests molding her to my ideal? If that were the case, she would have stuck with the piano lessons we wanted her to like or the ballet classes we introduced her to at 5. It was clear pretty early on that she didn't share those interests. Soccer and basketball are what stuck of all the activities and sports we foisted on her, so that is what we support even though I had no great interest in either sport. Though I do like them more now that she's involved and I've learned a thing or two about the game since then to appreciate the skill and strategy involved.

I said " to a limit". You appear to have a handle on what that limit is. Many do not. Many times, not in your case perhaps, the child's interests are highly influenced by the parent. many children are reluctant to tell their parents they no longer want to participate. The parental selection of the activity may be highly influenced by the marketing of the activity.

[Unregistered]

Every parent has already figured out they can't win in many other people's eyes. They are either over involved or neglectful of their kids.

And how is supporting my kid's interests molding her to my ideal? If that were the case, she would have stuck with the piano lessons we wanted her to like or the ballet classes we introduced her to at 5. It was clear pretty early on that she didn't share those interests. Soccer and basketball are what stuck of all the activities and sports we foisted on her, so that is what we support even though I had no great interest in either sport. Though I do like them more now that she's involved and I've learned a thing or two about the game since then to appreciate the skill and strategy involved.

You are SUFFOCATING her!

[Unregistered]

Wow, I'm no Obama fan but blame him for not supporting overzealous helicopter parents?!! Give us a break.

People will find any way to introduce their politics into every area of life come hell or high water, even when it's thoroughly irrelevant

Ditto. Trying to link the topic to any particular political ideology is silly. And I say this as the most "libertarian" person I know. I abhor ideas like group think and indoctrination, especially of our youth, but this isn't about politics, it's about ego. Confusing conducting responsible due diligence to find an environment that is appropriate or convenient has nothing to do with the earlier point about the parent involvement that was criticized. The parent behaviors worthy of criticism are often transparently selfish rather than selfless (classic example being the chronic overestimating a kid's ability, but simultaneously blaming the club, maybe not winning enough despite good training, searching for greener pastures in spite of a happy kid enjoying soccer and friends).

[Unregistered]

You are SUFFOCATING her!

You are DISAPPROVING and JUDGEMENTAL!! What a revelatory response ;)

You just need to be a bit more rude to make it classic TS fodder

[header]

Parenting does mean that you should be there for your children, to a limit. The more you try and mold a child into your ideal , the more you clip their wings. The problem today is that many soccer parents are over involved, and by extension , have taken nearly complete control of the games of children. A compromise isn't even acceptable. We have familes spending tons of money, countless hours, nearly every weekend and holiday for their children. They have placed the children's activities as the central focal point of the family, and I am sorry to tell you, many times that is just not healthy.

The money changers have taken notice, and they will direct the herd along the roads they need for financial and ego gratification.

I voted for Romney .

So did I.

[Unregistered]

Ditto. Trying to link the topic to any particular political ideology is silly. And I say this as the most "libertarian" person I know. I abhor ideas like group think and indoctrination, especially of our youth, but this isn't about politics, it's about ego. Confusing conducting responsible due diligence to find an environment that is appropriate or convenient has nothing to do with the earlier point about the parent involvement that was criticized. The parent behaviors worthy of criticism are often transparently selfish rather than selfless (classic example being the chronic overestimating a kid's ability, but simultaneously blaming the club, maybe not winning enough despite good training, searching for greener pastures in spite of a happy kid enjoying soccer and friends).

Ego of the parents is taken advantage of the business sense and smart advertising on the part of the club. However, I respect the fact that it is each familys individual decision to do with their money what they so desire. For the younger ages U12 and under it may not make that much difference which team you are on as long as the training is excellent. The reason for this is that your kid will be physically and mentally very different in the next few years and it will be more important that they learn and practice the techniques of soccer under excellent training. I know of a kid who was the best on the team at U11 and now at U16 played, on average, about 1/3 of the game.

You have to balance how much you are really willing to spend with the training you get whether it be Elite, Select, or even Super-duper. A minimum of 3 sessions per week with games on the weekend is a starting point. All that being said, parents should take off their blinders and recognize the situation for what it is. You should be able to see if you are there to simply support the 'Extreme Elite' team players.

[Unregistered]

Ego of the parents is taken advantage of the business sense and smart advertising on the part of the club. However, I respect the fact that it is each familys individual decision to do with their money what they so desire. For the younger ages U12 and under it may not make that much difference which team you are on as long as the training is excellent. The reason for this is that your kid will be physically and mentally very different in the next few years and it will be more important that they learn and practice the techniques of soccer under excellent training. I know of a kid who was the best on the team at U11 and now at U16 played, on average, about 1/3 of the game.

You have to balance how much you are really willing to spend with the training you get whether it be Elite, Select, or even Super-duper. A minimum of 3 sessions per week with games on the weekend is a starting point. All that being said, parents should take off their blinders and recognize the situation for what it is. You should be able to see if you are there to simply support the 'Extreme Elite' team players.

Brilliant, the newest club buzz word can be
"Super-duper"

8:00 AM
NEFC U12 Super Dupers (MA) vs
Stars U12 Super Dupers (MA)

[Unregistered]

Ego of the parents is taken advantage of the business sense and smart advertising on the part of the club. However, I respect the fact that it is each familys individual decision to do with their money what they so desire. For the younger ages U12 and under it may not make that much difference which team you are on as long as the training is excellent. The reason for this is that your kid will be physically and mentally very different in the next few years and it will be more important that they learn and practice the techniques of soccer under excellent training. I know of a kid who was the best on the team at U11 and now at U16 played, on average, about 1/3 of the game.

You have to balance how much you are really willing to spend with the training you get whether it be Elite, Select, or even Super-duper. A minimum of 3 sessions per week with games on the weekend is a starting point. All that being said, parents should take off their blinders and recognize the situation for what it is. You should be able to see if you are there to simply support the 'Extreme Elite' team players.

I think you are on to something with the "Extreme" theme. Better use it now before FM reads this post, or you will start to see "Breakers Extreme" teams in the very near future.