Stop burning out kids for profit!

[Unregistered]

Thought this was a thread about sweat shops from the 20's and forced child labor.

Didn't realize this was about a voluntary recreational activity that one can walk away from at any time should they so desire....

Have you ever met parents who, after paying for their child to play club soccer for a decade, get the news that their child was done playing competitively, whether that's before or during college?

[Unregistered]

You're asking the wrong question. Happy and unhappy customers is a given. It isn't even significant whether a certain portion of pay-to-play parents are happy or unhappy, whatever that means. WHY parents are happy and unhappy is the significant and revealing answer to why pay-to-play has become what it has.

No WHY is only relevant for the dying business. When business tripled in size for the last couple of years, then WHY is a given. :)

[Unregistered]

Nailed it!

Totally

https://alleged2bdelicious.files.wor...ol-aid-man.jpg

[Unregistered]

Have you ever met parents who, after paying for their child to play club soccer for a decade, get the news that their child was done playing competitively, whether that's before or during college?

Well, I played very competitive hockey for a dozen years and declined a (low-level) D1 college opportunity as I was done playing. So, yes, I met my parents. They couldn't have cared less.

If it matters, I continued playing soccer through college (and today), but the club structure was much different then. The hockey club culture was more of a parallel to soccer today.

Anyone could've walked away at any time -many did- and guess what? "The sun will rise, the sun will set, and I'll have lunch.''

[Unregistered]

Well, I played very competitive hockey for a dozen years and declined a (low-level) D1 college opportunity as I was done playing. So, yes, I met my parents. They couldn't have cared less.

If it matters, I continued playing soccer through college (and today), but the club structure was much different then. The hockey club culture was more of a parallel to soccer today.

Anyone could've walked away at any time -many did- and guess what? "The sun will rise, the sun will set, and I'll have lunch.''

I'm thrilled to hear your parents couldn't have cared less, but your trip down memory lane amounts to an answer of no, not yes. Back here, in the present day, you're being naive or dishonest to deny how emotionally invested most parents are.

[Unregistered]

I'm thrilled to hear your parents couldn't have cared less, but your trip down memory lane amounts to an answer of no, not yes. Back here, in the present day, you're being naive or dishonest to deny how emotionally invested most parents are.

So, today, as the parent of a good player with high aspirations, same answer.

If anyone is that emotionally invested they are crazy, and I'll tell them so.

If she walks away in HS or after, so be it. She's learned a great game and we shared a lot of time watching it together, playing it together, and watching her, etc. It's all good...a lot of fun and happy to see where it goes.

She will give the game up sometime, and I have zero expectations on a ROI.

I should say...the ROI has been met. Seeing her involved in a game and taking on that love that I have, it's investment paid in full.

[Unregistered]

Have you ever met parents who, after paying for their child to play club soccer for a decade, get the news that their child was done playing competitively, whether that's before or during college?

Yes! They are not happy people but try desperately to pretend it's all good.

[Unregistered]

So, today, as the parent of a good player with high aspirations, same answer.

If anyone is that emotionally invested they are crazy, and I'll tell them so.

If she walks away in HS or after, so be it. She's learned a great game and we shared a lot of time watching it together, playing it together, and watching her, etc. It's all good...a lot of fun and happy to see where it goes.

She will give the game up sometime, and I have zero expectations on a ROI.

I should say...the ROI has been met. Seeing her involved in a game and taking on that love that I have, it's investment paid in full.

I wish more people shared your view, but not enough do. Here we are.

[Unregistered]

I'm thrilled to hear your parents couldn't have cared less, but your trip down memory lane amounts to an answer of no, not yes. Back here, in the present day, you're being naive or dishonest to deny how emotionally invested most parents are.

I love how you flip people’s answers:” you think you said NO, but you actually said YES. So it proves my point!” . Haha

[Unregistered]

Yes! They are not happy people but try desperately to pretend it's all good.

Answering your own question? What are you missing more: your kid or your time on the sideline?

[Unregistered]

I love how you flip people’s answers:” you think you said NO, but you actually said YES. So it proves my point!” . Haha

You were sick the day in 5th grade reading they taught context clues?

[Unregistered]

So, today, as the parent of a good player with high aspirations, same answer.

If anyone is that emotionally invested they are crazy, and I'll tell them so.

If she walks away in HS or after, so be it. She's learned a great game and we shared a lot of time watching it together, playing it together, and watching her, etc. It's all good...a lot of fun and happy to see where it goes.

She will give the game up sometime, and I have zero expectations on a ROI.

I should say...the ROI has been met. Seeing her involved in a game and taking on that love that I have, it's investment paid in full.

Are you saying that you are done with investing?

[Unregistered]

You were sick the day in 5th grade reading they taught context clues?

You ‘context’ has no clue. Neither do you. When kids are done with sports, most of parents find something else to get ‘emotionally invested’ into. A few though, still return to this forum and keep answering they’re own questions. Just let it go dude. Get busy fishing or something.

[Unregistered]

My daughter played club since 9 years old. Now in the second year of college and finished second year of college soccer, she is stepping away. She is doing so to graduate in four years verse five, due to a demanding major. Neither of us would take back her soccer club and HS experience.

Every kid, parent, and situation is different. Just enjoy the game until you can't play anymore.

[Unregistered]

Our daughter recently came to us and said that she is giving up the team (college freshman on a high level D3 squad.) My wife and I both said "Great, what are your plans for all your free time." College is the chance to try some new things, see what sticks. She wants to put more time into her studies, have a bit of a social life, and sing with an a cappella group.

All is good with us and our daughter. It was a nice ride.