If You Had to Choose… Arts or Sports?
My Fiancee and I got into a debate last week about what our kids will someday be involved in. I was a very involved kid. Not only did I play football, hockey, track, and even a little baseball, I was also heavily involved with choir. It was a bit awkward to stand in your football gear and sing the national anthem before taking the field, but it was a great experience.
The debate Jessi and I had was if they should play sports or not. Her opinion is she would rather have them focus on arts and expanding their mind. I don’t disagree with this at all, and before someone says it I’ll beat you to it: she’s not crazy or incorrect for thinking this way. I think if more kids did arts, regardless of which art, they would be better off in life. I think they should play sports as well as the arts because I feel it teaches you to toughen up, learn teamwork, and understand sacrifice. Jessi brought up that being in band, orchestra, or chorus teaches those things as well, which she is correct. I would only argue that running wind sprints and/or getting hit and hopping right back up after are valuable lessons only a sport can teach you.
I think my kids should do both sports and arts, Jessi could do without the sports. So my question to you all is if you could only have your kids play sports or arts, which would you choose? Please do not think of art as hippie painters, but singers and band members as well.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I agree with you completely. My husband and I have this discussion often. I was in choir, band and played soccer and tennis. I was also involved in the school musical and color guard. He played football, baseball and soccer. We have a three year old together. My mother offered to pay for tap dance lessons and my husband quickly declined the offer. I suggested karate and or piano lessons. He of course declined piano lessons but called the karate center himself the next day. I strongly feel that it would be very beneficial to do both. I had experience with both and received a degree in music. If nothing else it made me a more well rounded individual. Although I did enter many music competitions growing up they did not compare to soccer games!
November 21st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hey Pat…I have one daughter who is interested in the arts. She’s awesome at it too. I never led her either way, I let her choose what she wanted to do. I never pushed at all and never will. Regardless of what children do, sports or arts…its all in the upbringing…if you teach them those things, it won’t matter what they choose.
My other comment is….live today…cross that bridge when you have the kids…why clutter your mind with something that hasn’t happened yet?!?!
Love the show….take good care!!
November 27th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Why don’t you let your kids be who they are going to be. You can’t mske them like arts.. You can’t make them like sports,,,It is who they are!!! That is the problem now.. I am a graphic artist,,not by choice but by what God gave me ability to do. OH JESUS!! Just like he gave you the gift of speech. If more people in this world would realize this we would all be okay.
Ann Marie