Mothers Know Best: What to Do when Your Child Isn't Cut Out for Organized Sports

My daughter didn't like tee-ball, gymnastics, dance, roller-skating, swimming, and all organized sports. So we found other things to bring out her strengths.

I sit and listen to my daughter's pediatrician as he talks about the importance of children with ADHD being involved in organized sports. I think to myself, What if my child isn't interested in sports?

I remember the time we tried tee-ball. My child was the one playing in the dirt and distracting the runner from the other team on first base. She tried gymnastics, but was frustrated when the other kids in the class moved up. She struggled with the straddle roll and the splits. So we put her in the balance and flexibility class. She became impatient and complained that she was bored.

Next, we tried dance. She's all legs and super skinny, so I just knew she would be great at ballet. She took a combined ballet and jazz class. She liked playing dress-up more than she enjoyed dancing. She wasn't interested in anything that involved running. Her therapist suggested ice-skating or roller-skating, but she was afraid of falling. We talked about swimming because she loves the water, but she just wanted to play in the pool, not join the swim team.

So what are my options as a parent? What’s most important is that my daughter be involved in something that stimulates her brain and raises her self-esteem. I’m pretty sure, right now, that playing sports doesn’t do that for her.

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