Sad Son

Lately Devin has been acting kind of funny. Like that fake cough kind of thing, which I was noticing recently, thinking he wants me to keep him home from school for some reason. He's been more quiet lately too. Tonight he was eating dinner in his room and I made him one of his favorite side dishes (tater tots, lol) and he wasn't eating. I just knew there was something wrong.

So, I questioned him, asked him if he had a bad day. He said "No", at first, but I could tell he wasn't telling me something. So, I finally got it out of him that he wants to quit the basketball team. He says it's just like last year, when the other team members won't pass the ball. You know, the typical ball hog thing. So, while he's been able to play defensively, and he does that very well, he's had no ball time at all. Then today during practice, he said that he made an embarrassing shot and that some of the players made cracks about it. But that is what kids that age do. I tried to tell him that I would have played it off, and just kind of laughed along with them. He just basically ignored it.

So anyway, I don't know what to do. He actually only had one game so far, then he has one more. We told him he should give it more time. Tim mentioned talking to the coach, but only after seeing if this keeps going on for a few games. I wasn't able to go to the first one, but it seems it's the same group of kids that keep passing the ball to eachother. I guess they'll actually hold onto the ball until one of these kids are open. Sounds kind of cliquish to me. I don't know. We're still new to this whole thing, so anyone who has some kind of experience with kids in sports and any advice to offer, that'd be great.

Don't you just love team sports. I've been there and it isn't easy. Your kid doesn't give a rat's behind what you think; all he knows is he's not part of the group. We didn't let our son quit in mid-season. We always made him tough it out and by the following season he was ready to play hockey again.

Then one year, it all clicked for him and he was getting more play time. He played hockey for 13 years and he now works at a ice rink. He would still play if he could afford it.

I'll be praying for both Devin and you too. It isn't easy being a parent either.

Pam, if I may, if he wants to quit, and is not happy, I would let him quit. I hope that I did not offend you by saying that, but my sister had the same problem with her son, only he was in the choir. He was unhappy with it, and she let hiim quit. She didn't want him to be unhappy with what he was doing.

I hope all works out. ((Pam))

Savannah wrote:

{{{Pam}}} I don't have any advice, but I can add my prayers.

Same here Savannah. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys.

Had my prayers, my dear.

Vanesa

Thanks so much, everyone. I really and truly appreciate everyone's advice and prayers. Especially since this is all still new to us.

He had his second game yesterday. I went in there with high hopes that something would happen just to boost his confidence. He was put out with a squad to start the game. The coach changed up the squads and the kids he was with, well, they played like a team and passed the ball and just played so well together. That squad scored the most out of any of the other squads that went out after them. Devin managed to score two of the points. He had a great game. He scored, got a steal, an assist, it was a really great game. Even one of the other kids who was having the same kind of problem as Devin, had a really great game. I don't know if it's because after the first game, the coach saw the problem himself and decided to change things up for that reason, or what. But whatever it was, it worked. Tim never even had a chance to talk to the coach yet. Devin told him he didn't have to, that he wants to stay in.

So, hopefully that good game gave him the confidence boost he needs to keep on going. I know every game can't be terrific, but he knows that too, most importantly.

But thanks again for your prayers, I really believe that made a difference.

That is great. I hope Devin has fun the rest of the season.

I agree, Lori!

glad everything worked out!

Thanks everyone!