Soccer Time!

We signed Jocelyn up for soccer this year.  She loves kicking the ball around the back yard and we thought she'd really love it.  The league she is in is Space City Futbol and is on a U5 team.  They play 3 on 3 with 2 games going on at once and small goals with no goalie.  It really is a neat way to start the kids out with playing and practicing.  The problem is that Jocelyn does not seem to actually want to play.  I find myself yelling at her to run when she's just standing there on the field and not helping her teammates.  She does get very excited when her team scores a goal, but I just wish she would get in there and go get the ball.  It's like if there is any impediment to kicking the ball, she doesn't want anything to do with it.  Then she'll pout and say she's tired one minute but chase her friends around the field when it's break time.

I know I should just give her some time and maybe next year she'll do better.  I am a self-admitted competitive person and when it comes to sports, I want my kids to enjoy playing as much as I did (and want to win as much as I did).  But I have to tell myself not to put too many expectations on them.  I have to find a balance of being firm when it comes to practicing and being on a team (if she's going to play, all we ask is she do her best and put in 100% effort) but I can't be mad at her if she just doesn't have the same competitive drive that John and I did growing up.  I do not want to give my children a trophy just for being on the team.  But I want them to play sports since it is so good for their health and character building.  Plus, I can't see myself as a dance mom - I don't have it in me.

It is cute to watch though.