QuestionHi there,
I have a 12 yrs old daughter and a son who is already 14, neither of them have ever really been involved in sports. They have now decided they would like to sign up for volleyball. Do you think it is it too late at their ages? If not, what would be the best course of action? Where should we start?
I would love to see my son get involved since he has very low self-esteem, he is shy, and for that reason he could never play hockey,football or any boys sports cause he was to timid and scared to hurt others, he dislikes commitment and he lacks in being responsible. I feel that perhaps this could teach him a few life lessons? What to you think? Do you feel this could help him?
AnswerGood evening and welcome to allexperts.com!
I wanted to reply earlier to your question, but I had a tournament yesterday (9-0!!) and we had a 2-hour practice tonight and 1.5 hours tomorrow night. It's so much fun!
Unless you live in one of the volleyball hotbeds of the USA, your daughter is DEFINITELY not too old. You boy is on the borderline. In most places, if a person is a rookie at any sport entering high school (or already in high school#, they're almost too far behind to catch up.
From your question, you sound like a mom in a normal situation: Volleyball isn't THE sport, but it's not a bump-and-giggle either. #At many little private schools, they'll take any girl or boy at any age......b/c no one expects/wants to be good. They just do it for the activity. YES, there are teams like that. And a few are probably within a few miles of your home.
You should start your daughter THIS SUMMER attending camps with rookie division. No, don't send her to local school, where she'll be lumped in with the older girls. Then you expect every night for her to tell you how embarrassed she was b/c she can't do what the older girls do. If the camp can't guarantee a rookie division, then she shouldn't go. Maybe she can attend 3 this summer. If she's loving it, maybe 4. Next summer, she can hopefully move up the veterans/experienced division. One of my camps may be coming to your area! Please check out my 2010 Site Camps link at www.coachhouser.com. We're doing 9 camps this summer.
Now, for the boy.....low self-esteem, shy, dislikes commitment and responsibility? Sounds like his summer camp needs are more "tough love" stuff; or maybe out-patient therapy. I'm just a high school math teacher (30 years), and not a psychiatrist, but either you're a frustrated mom exaggerating a little, or I'd talk to your school's psychologist or a child psychiatrist. From your perspective, you're thinking that sports may snap him out of his doldrums? You may be right. Or you may be getting ready to waste a lot of money. If I were you, I'd like to have a objective, professional opinion on this young man. Hey may need sports, a boot camp, or professional help. Which one? Sure would nice to sure before making thousands of dollars of commitments!
I hope that I've been some help! If you want to contact me again, you're free to at
[email protected]. Have a great week!
