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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 06:42:51 AM
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For the first year in three years, we are not participating in the county ball league. My daughter started when she was 4 in T-ball, and last year both she and my son played ball. They enjoyed it, but this year we're not participating. We decided that we were missing out on a lot of family time which to us is more valuable than learning those ball-team skills at this time. This was a hard decision to make, partly because of the social aspects, also because of the feeling in our county ball league of "if they drop out now, they'll never be able to come back." Well really. My kids are just 7, 6, and 3. I think it's more important for us this year to enjoy life together.
I am a bit torn, however, as we have lots of "friends" (more like acquaintances) who we met through ball and only see that time of year; also I love to play ball, have always loved it. The time commitment is from March through after the 4th of July (and further depending on how good the team is); two nights of 1 1/2 hours practice a week plus games every Friday night (two. . .tball and coach pitch) and the three year old is not old enough to play, so she just has to sit and watch and play with mommy, but that does get old after awhile. The choice does seem very clear when I think through all these things, but then when I see other moms who react with a horrified, "You're not doing ball this year?!?!?" I feel like I have to explain it to them or rationalize it.
So anyhow, I think this is just another attempt on my part to explain to the world why we are not playing (organized) ball this season! Kinda pathetic, huh? |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2008 : 11:24:04 AM
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Not pathetic at all Sheila. We all have to make choices in our life - some easy some not so easy - for the benefit of our family. I think you should be commended for putting your family first. Not that I'm against team sports, but when the team overshadows the family and you have no time for family stuff then there's a problem.
Maybe the women can't identify with your choice because they wouldn't know what to do with their kids if they were home and not on a ball field.
If the kids are good friends or you and hubby have become firends with some of the parents you could have a BBQ or some other gathering/party/picnic to stay in contact.
But, try not to beat yourself up over it. You can always play next season. |
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Play Ball (or not. . .)
