Balance in Studies and Sports?

Question

Well my wife and I have six children and all are boys. Aged 11,9,7,(twins)4, 6 months. We are from South Africa, a sport mad nation and we also have a sports mad house. My wife and I have a really open relationship with them and stuff and they always tell us their problems and worries. The problem is that the three older boys Daryll, Stephen and Brent always want to play rugby, hockey, cricket and football. We know that sometimes they concentrate to much on sports and not so much studies and we want them to keep their grades up as well as their sports ability. They are really well behaved kids and they never really gotten into trouble but we know they can do better in school if they concentrate a little more. So my wife and I told them that they will only get to play sports if they do well in school. Is this to harsh or something or are we doing a good thing? If we know give them sporting time will their studies go down hill again? Is this what u would do?

Answer 1

Yes that is exactly what you do!! Studies first then sports! You're doing a great job.

Answer 2

i don't believe you are being harsh. My youngest daughter (13) plays soccer and basketball. But she knows she does not get to play if her grades fall below a B average. Studies come before sports. I have had this rule in place since she started school. It works very well for me.

Studies are more important - there will always be sports.

Answer 3

Your wife did GREAT!!! My daughter plays softball and volleyball but she knows "if the grades go down the sports go away"Most schools won't let the kids play if their grades aren't at a certain level.Kids need sports but grades are way more important.If their grades are first for you then it sounds like they will be convinced that they need to be first for the kids!!!

Answer 4

1. Keep your eyes on their grades. Low grades is a symptom of many things. Over extra-curricular activities, too little homework time, too much homework, attention span problems. If his grades are not curving down, then an (one)extra-curricular activity is okay.

2. Examining our own expectations. Are we trying to correct our own failures through our children? We have to let them discover what they like or don't like. Do you enjoy the sport that they are in yourself to make it a family affair, or do you just want to have a him excel at something he may or may not enjoy doing?

3. Give yourself, your family and your children time to relax. Time to have no fixed schedule, time to unwind, time for fun and time to be yourself at least once a week. But be careful, too much down time is just as dangerous as too much of an organized schedule.

We sometimes want our children to have everything, so we tend to give and give and give not realizing that they have to have a little "down" time, or time to relax and be a kid. Take a brief look at David Elkind's book, The Hurried Child.

Answer 5

it is going to be annoying, I had the comparable difficulty final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days yet with wrestling. no remember what you do, you will likely ought to spend previous due nights reading. attempt to stress to college or get your mom and dad to stress you in case you have no longer have been given a license yet. That way you are able to sleep in. For math final semester, i discovered a instruct in school and we Skyped so it became continuously very handy. i'm hoping this facilitates truly, and stable success!

Answer 6

Sounds good to me. Here in the states, once they get in high school they wouldn't be allowed to play sports unless they have good grades. I think you guys have the right idea!

Answer 7

Not sure, but right before I came to this site, my husband sent me the link to sign our 3 year old up for hockey.

Answer 8

Absolutely what I would do. Studies FIRST!