To quote the Wu, “I’ma rub your ass in the moonshine. Lets take it back to ’79“
That was 8 years ago. My first born was 10 and playing youth basketball. I was coaching all three boys and I’d received a letter from a mom griping about the 6-7 year old team. She was complaining about rumors that the so-called star players had been playing together forever and were the focus of the team. I remember the situation, because it highlighted an awful truth about youth sports: It is really about parents feeling good about their kids being the star. I remember the anger that went through me at the letter and at the games themselves. It mattered so much back then. It was so important to see the kids enjoy it and maybe learn a lot and have some success in the process. I wanted wins. I wanted to beat specific coaches that, as it turns out, I still have friendships with today. In fact, the coach in question for that 10-12 game will be coaching my youngest at the freshman level next year. Funny how the earth spins and alliances change and some people simply don’t move off their spot.
I’ve moved. I am finally willing to relinquish the nasty grip of youth sports and embrace the more important things in my life… Things like Madden 23. No, seriously. I’m in a space where I am working towards a healthier sense of balance, a shorter list of responsibilities, and I am trusting in my kids to manage their own lives in order to have time to have one of my own. I think that makes this life worth it.